On 11 March an earthquake with a historic magnitude of 9.0 struck the locations in northeastern (Tohoku) Japan, registering the highest intensity level of 7 on the Japanese seismic scale in Miyagi Prefecture. Following the earthquake, a huge tsunami rushed toward the coastal areas and engulfed the towns and villages.
The earthquake and tsunami was so devastating that we cannot give a full picture of the damage. As of 30 March, 11,362 people have been confirmed dead, and 16,290 are still missing.
As for the JRU members, sad to say, one is confirmed dead and there are still a few members whom we cannot make contact with. Many members have lost their loved ones. In addition, the situation concerning the Fukushima No.1 nuclear plant is growing worse. That gives us another blow.
Trying as the situation is, the JRU and its affiliated unions have dispatched officers and members in order to help our members and deliver relief goods. The following is the reports of them and what they saw and heard in the area stricken by disaster. Yes, we stand together against the catastrophic disaster.
