A 9.0-magnitude earthquake and a tsunami it triggered struck the northeast coast of Japan on March 11, leaving more than 12,000 people dead and, at press time, 15,500 people missing, with massive damage to homes, factories, ports, roads and other infrastructure. In addition, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power complex suffered damage, resulting in a nuclear crisis and a 30-kilometer restricted zone.
Hundreds of thousands of people were moved to shelters around the country. Until area power plants are repaired, electrical shortages will affect the region, including train service in Tokyo 120 kilometers to the southwest.
The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is providing updates at www.jnto.go.jp/eng or you can call (212/757-5640 in New York or 213/623-1952 in Los Angeles). The JNTO said that other regions of Honshu island are operating normally, including Kansai (with Kyoto and Osaka) and Chugoku.