Residents of a community in northeastern Japan have gathered at a new monument to remember victims of the tsunami caused by the massive earthquake 13 years ago.

A neighborhood association in Katagishi Town in Iwate Prefecture's Kamaishi City erected the monument in November last year with donations from residents. It is aimed at remembering 33 fellow residents who were killed by tsunami, and passing down the lesson of the disaster to the next generation.

About 40 people attended the memorial service on Sunday, a day before the 13th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.

The participants offered prayers and left incense and flowers at the monument. The association's official Asari Kinichi said the monument will serve to pass down the memory of the disaster to the next generation. He also said it will help disaster prevention efforts in the district to create a safe and reliable community.

Ise Keiko lost a relative in the tsunami. She said she feels 13 years are both short and long. She said she is glad that the nice monument has been completed.

Kashiwazaki Masayoshi lost his father and wife. He said that as time goes on, he feels regret more and more about what he should have done at that time. He added that it is important to pass on this experience to the next generation.

The neighborhood association plans to continue to hold a memorial service at the monument in March every year.