An event was held in Paris to remember the victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan and to showcase the region's progress in recovery since the disaster.

The event was held at a Japanese cultural center in the French capital. It opened with a video message of Governor Uchibori Masao of Fukushima Prefecture.

12 years after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident, Uchibori said that an evacuation order had been lifted for a large part of the prefecture and now residents can return and live in all of the municipalities.

He also noted that exports of agricultural products from Fukushima posted record highs last year as food safety was ensured with thorough inspection and testing.

An NHK documentary which chronicled the March 11 earthquake and tsunami was shown at the event with French subtitles.

Visitors also got to taste sake brought directly from a brewery in the city of Nihonmatsu in Fukushima.

A Turkish photographer who lives in Paris said that he was impressed by the documentary film and that Japan's experience should be shared with the Turkish people as their country is also prone to earthquakes.

He added that he has respect for people in Japan who remained calm during the disaster.