For the latest information in English on the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake, please view the English website of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/incidents/index.html
The main information on the page regarding the Government of Japan’s response to the disaster is included below:
Current situation and the Government of Japan's response –
1. Outlines
(1) Around 14:46 of March 11, massive earthquakes with the magnitude of 9.0 struck Sanriku, Japan. Waves of tsunami of up to more than 7m swept cities and villages of Tohoku district off the Pacific Ocean, causing devastating human as well as physical damages. Tokyo observed tremors with a seismic intensity of 5. But they inflicted relatively modest damages. Aftershocks still persist, particularly in Tohoku district.
(2) The Government of Japan immediately set up its emergency headquarters with Prime Minister Kan at the helm, making all-out efforts for search and rescue as well as for reconstructing various lifelines, in liaison with all government bodies and local governments.
(3) Sympathies have been expressed and assistance offered, from the world. By March 13, rescue teams from 11 countries are arriving in or heading for Japan. Also, the U.S. Forces in Japan are beginning to extend assistance.
(4) The earthquake and tsunami entailed emergency situations including failures in TEPCO's nuclear power plants' reactor-cooling systems in Fukushima Prefecture.
(5) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been undertaking, among others, coordination with respect to acceptance of foreign rescue teams, communication with the diplomatic corps and the foreign press corps and confirmation of the foreign nationals' safety.
2. Damages
(1) The earthquake and tsunami devastated mainly Tohoku district. Damages were inflicted in Kanto district, too. As of March 13, the number of those deceased and unaccounted for was more than 10 thousands.
(2) In Tohoku district's four prefectures, lifelines (such as electricity, gas, roads, railways and airports) were severely damaged. As of March 13, electricity and waters are disconnected in most parts of these prefectures. Transportation systems remain paralyzed.
3. Sympathies from the world
(1) Many sympathies, as well as expression of solidarity, are offered by governments and peoples of the world.
(2) Prime Minister Kan had telephone talks with President Obama of the U.S, President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea and Prime Minister Gillard of Australia. Also, Foreign Minister Matsumoto had telephone talks with Foreign Secretary Hague of the U.K., Secretary of State Clinton of the U.S., Foreign Minister Rudd of Australia and Foreign Minister McCully of New Zealand.
4. Emergency assistance from overseas
(1) So far 88 countries and regions as well as 6 international organizations have expressed their intentions to extend assistance.
(2) By March 13, rescue teams from eleven countries (the ROK, the U.S., Singapore, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, China, New Zealand, Australia, the U.K. and France) have arrived in or heading for Japan.
(3) The U.S. Forces in Japan have dispatched their air carrier "Ronald Reagan," et al and are beginning to extend assistance.
5. Confirming safety of foreign visitors in Japan
(1) Diplomatic corps in Tokyo and staff of offices of international organizations are safe. The Consulate General's office of the ROK in Sendai (the only foreign mission in four prefectures of Tohoku district) has confirmed the safety of its staff.
(2) The safety of JICA trainees and visitors under the invitation programmes of Japan Foundation has been confirmed.
(3) Information regarding the safety of foreign nationals living in Tohoku district are being gathered in liaison with respective embassies in Tokyo and travel agencies.
(4) The Japan Red Cross and the International Committee for the Red Cross have established websites to confirm safety of foreigners living in Japan.
6. Ensuring safety of nuclear power plants
(1) After the earthquake and tsunami, control rods have been inserted immediately in the 11 reactors which were in operation in 3 nuclear power plants in Miyagi, Fukushima and Ibaragi Prefectures, automatically suspending power generation.
(2) With respect to TEPCO's Fukushima Dai-ichi and Dai-ni Nuclear Power Plants in Fukushima Prefecture, Nuclear Emergencies Situation was declared, and evacuations and introduction of emergency measures are undertaken. At Unit 1 of the Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant, an explosive incident was observed at around 15:30 of March 12. However, the Unit's containment vessel was not damaged. Measures to cool down the reactor, such as pouring in sea water, are continuing. Also in Unit 3 of the same Power Plant, measures such as pouring in sea water are in progress in order to deal with the lowered water level.