The list included familiar global newsmakers such as U.S. President Barack Obama and Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel as well as what the media describes as " newcomers " to the global press . The list included numerous figures representing the year of upheaval in the Middle East ranging from rebels , to political leaders to news correspondents . Although the events of what has been dubbed the Arab Spring were prominent , media figures unrelated to those events also figured in the list as well . Additionally , Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton were part of the list during the week before their wedding . The list also included Katsunobu Sakurai , mayor of Minamisōma , Fukushima , which was the city most affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
Time 100