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Police in Japan said human remains found in Miyagi have been identified as those of Natsuse Yamane, a 6-year-old missing since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed 15,900 people, with 2,520 still unaccounted for as of the end of February. Teeth and jaw fragments discovered in February 2023 were matched through mitochondrial DNA and protein analysis, with Tohoku University experts assisting. The girl was swept from her home in Yamada, Iwate Prefecture, about 60 miles away. Construction workers uncovered the remains during coastal clean-up. Her family expressed gratitude, saying the notification took them by surprise.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.