Date: 16/03/2011 At 14.46 on March 11 2011, Japan was rocked by the Higashi Nihon Daishinsa, or Great East Japan Earthquake. Within an hour, a major tsunami caused catastrophic damage along the Pacific coastline on Japan's northern islands.
"Japan earthquake: diary of an aid worker," by Ian Woolverton in the UK's Sunday Telegraph
Date: 16/03/2011 The worst natural disaster in Japan's history, up to 30,000 people may have died. Tens of thousands more were uprooted from their homes.
"Japan Earthquake: Ian Woolverton updates from Sendai"
Date: 16/03/2011 The damage was so severe in towns like Onagawa, home to 11,000 people, that rebuilding will take years.
"Aid Groups Head To Japan," says Ian Woolverton on NPR's All Things Considered
Date: 16/03/2011 Witnesses in Onagawa say the tsunami reached a height of over 30 metres and surged inland a kilometre.
"Aussie Save The Children teams head to Japan," ABC
Date: 16/03/2011 At least 300 people died in Onagawa. Another 1,000 people are missing.
"Japan: how brutal mother nature can be," writes Ian Woolverton
Date: 21/03/2011 The cost of the earthquake and tsunami to the Japanese economy could reach $309 billion, making it the most expensive natural disaster on record.
"Japan rescuers struggle to reach survivors as aftershocks continue," The Guardian
Date: 16/03/2011 The human cost, however, will be incalculable.

Normally when a person dies in Japan, they are cremated in Buddhist ceremonies. Because of the numbers of people who died during the tsunami, thousands had to be buried in mass graves.
Date: 19/03/2011 The tsunami caused a major humanitarian crisis, forcing thousands of families to shelter in evacuation centres that were established in sports halls and school classrooms.
"Orphans of the quake," ABC 7.30
Date: 16/03/2011 A photograph of a child found along a muddy bank near Onagawa. Save the Children estimates that up to 100,000 children were rendered homeless by the disaster.
Date: 16/03/2011 Childhood lost. A child's toy outside a devastated school in Noribu.
"Other children need help more than me," writes Ian Woolverton
Date: 16/03/2011 Japanese Prime Minister, Naoto Kan, said, "In the 65 years after the end of World War II, this is the toughest and the most difficult crisis for Japan".
"The demand for interviews has not stopped," writes Ian Woolverton
Date: 16/03/2011 Despite the daunting scale of the devastation, the Japanese authorities quickly mobilised thousands of emergency workers to help the most vulnerable people and to begin the clean-up operation.
"The saddest story I’ve heard," writes Ian Woolverton
Date: 16/03/2011 Rescue workers from all over Japan joined the recovery effort to clear debris and search for human remains.
Date: 21/03/2011 The Japanese Defence Force joined the tsunami clean up operation, airlifting earth moving equipment, personnel and humanitarian supplies to the worst affected areas.
Date: 16/03/2011 Despite the tragedy, the Japanese people have shown a remarkable stoicism, poise and resilience in response to the disaster.
Date: 16/03/2011 The story of the Great East Japan Earthquake is ultimately one of hope and the enduring human spirit.

As selfless relief workers toil in freezing conditions, a message scribbled on a piece of chipboard simply says, "All that lived here are safe".
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