While major relief efforts have been in place since the disaster struck, there is still a major need for support as the people of Japan try to reconstruct their cities and their lives.
The death toll from Japan’s earthquake and tsunami rose to 8,649. It’s expected to rise as there are more than 13,000 people not accounted for, according to Japan’s national police.
Kyodo, citing Japan's defense forces, said 380,000 people are still staying at 2,200 shelters across the country.
Another serious concern in the aftermath is that three nuclear power plants are damaged and failing to keep under control.
Concerns of radiation are now high as workers continue fighting to cool down the reactors. While there has been a constant effort by workers, officials have started to discuss the possibility of having to utilize a “concrete pump engine” similar to the one used in the Chernobyl nuclear plant meltdown in 1986- the worst nuclear disaster to date.
Efforts to control radiation also continue amid concerns of its effect on water, food, and people around the area. While officials say it is at a level below concern, there have been bans of certain products in which radioactive levels were higher than government standards.
This is the aftermath of the earthquake that led to the disaster in Japan only a few weeks ago. The epicenter was offshore 373 kilometers (231 miles) away from Tokyo, the United States Geological Survey said.
But residents there continued to feel aftershocks hours after the quake. More than 30 aftershocks followed, with the strongest measuring 7.1.
The prime minister said an emergency task force has been activated, and appealed for calm. The government dispatched 8,000 troops to assist in the recovery effort and asked for U.S. military assistance, according to Kyodo.
A spokesman for the U.S. military bases in Japan said all service members were accounted for and there were no reports of damage to installations or ships.
President Barack Obama, while offering his condolences, said the United States was standing by to help "in this time of great trial."
Including the U.S., sixty-nine governments have offered to aid with search and rescue according to the United Nations. The help includes the arrival of 11 Urban Search and Rescue teams from countries such as the United States, South Korea, Australia, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, China, Hungary, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
Images from Japanese media and CNN iReporters show smoke pouring from buildings and water rushing across fields carrying away entire structures.
"I wasn't scared when it started ... but it just kept going and going," said Michelle Roberts, who lives in central Tokyo. "I won't lie, it was quite scary. But we are all OK. We live on the third floor, so most everything shook and shifted."
The quake toppled cars off bridges and into waters underneath. Waves of debris flowed like lava across farmland, pushing boats, houses and trailers. About 4 million homes had no power in Tokyo and surrounding areas.
Firefighters battled a fiery blaze at an oil refinery in Chiba prefecture near Tokyo.
The quake disrupted rail service and left people stranded in their offices. It also affected air travel. Hundreds of flights were canceled, Kyodo said. Some 13,000 people were stranded at the Narita airport, with 10,000 stuck at the Haneda airport, Kyodo said.
At Tokyo Station, one of Japan's busiest subway stations, shaken commuters grabbed one another to stay steady as the ground shook. Dazed residents poured into the streets after offices and schools were closed. Children cried.
Residents said though earthquakes are common in Japan, Friday's stunned most people.
Approved non-profit organizations providing relief services:
AMERICARES FOUNDATION INC: Emergency team is on full alert, mobilizing resources and dispatching an emergency response manager to the region.
AMERICAN RED CROSS: Emergency Operation Centers are opened in the affected areas and staffed by the chapters. This disaster is on a scale larger than the Japanese Red Cross can typically manage. Donations to the American Red Cross can be allocated for the International Disaster Relief Fund, which then deploys to the region to help.
CONVOY OF HOPE: Disaster Response team established connection with in-country partners who have been impacted by the damage and are identifying the needs and areas where Convoy of Hope may be of the greatest assistance.
GLOBALGIVING: Established a fund to disburse donations to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami.
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS: Putting together relief teams, as well as supplies, and are in contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities.
SAVE THE CHILDREN: Mobilizing to provide immediate humanitarian relief in the shape of emergency health care and provision of non-food items and shelter.
SALVATION ARMY: The Salvation Army has been in Japan since 1895 and is currently providing emergency assistance to those in need.
SHELTER BOX: The first team is mobilizing to head to Japan and begin the response effort.
