March 11 marks the seventh anniversary of the powerful earthquake and massive tsunami that triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster in northeast Japan. The picture shows a man walking among bags of contaminated soil in Tomioka town, Fukushima prefecture, Japan. /VCG Photo

Seven years later, the Japanese town seems abandoned. The nuclear accident drove more than 160,000 people from their homes, some by evacuation order and others by choice. /VCG Photo

A guard gesturing at an exit check point from within the exclusion zone of Futaba town, Fukushima prefecture. /VCG Photo

A closed gate preventing people from entering the exclusion zone in Futaba town, with traffic lights still signaling. /VCG Photo

Memorial events will be held in Tokyo and northeastern Japan on Sunday. /VCG Photo