The death toll as of this writing has exceeded 11000. It is expected to rise even more, as the aftermath becomes more and more open.
Though the living environement for the people in shelters are very very slowly becoming better, the speed is not enough at all. With the cold front refusing to move away from northeast Japan, people are freezing in cold shelters without heat, and some freezing to death. It is the most saddest to hear people suriviving the earthquake and tsunami, but not making it through the days of evacuation.
The police, fire departmant, self defense force, all medical teams work frantically at the sites to assist the victims, sometimes in worse conditions than the evacuees. They all share the same strong feeling to save the vicims, to save Tohoku, and save Japan. Nothing but respect.
The damage at the Fukushima Neuclear Plant is still far from relief. TEPCO is now saying that there is possible damage to the reactor pressure containers leading to leakage of water contaminated by high radiation. There is stil a long way to go until this neuclear crisiscan see an end.
Entering the third week after the quake, mental care is becoming more important. PTSD...Post Traumatic Stress Disodrer is occuring not just in direct victims of he quake/tsunami, but we now hear that all Japanese even outside of the quakke area constantly in contact with the media reporting devastation are subject to this stress. Added to the news are the continuous after tremors and alarms which come day and night. Even TV announcers and reporters face this mental illness. Mental care is deeply in need.
With this said, Tokyo and the rest of Japan continues normal life.
Trains operate on special timetables and suburbs face rolling power outages due to the power shortage. Night is quiet, and stores are mistaken to be closed because they turn off their signs and the lights inside are half turned off. Some meaningless panic here and there, with mineral water, cup-o-noodles, and rice being sold out here and there. Lines to get cars fueled up.
However, that's about it....everything else is...normal, system-wise at least.
The country is still mentally in deep shock, and it will take some time to get over it. Continuing normal life is the best way to cope with this, and I think it is the duty of Tokyo and the rest of Japan to do so.
Some reading :
- Quake and blossoms: Japan's reminder of mortality - http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110327/ap_on_re_as/as_japan_earthquake_cherry_blossoms
To rebuild or not? Japan's tsunami coast wonders - http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110327/ap_on_re_as/as_japan_earthquake_dying_coast
Nuclear Crisis Continues, But Not for Caregivers in Japan's Shelters - http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2011/03/27/nuclear-crisis-continues-but-not-for-caregivers-in-japan’s-shelters/
Asahi Shinbun(newspaper) updates the earthquake news as frequently as possible on it's Facebook page :