Japan earthquake, 6 months later: 15,781 confirmed dead; 4,086 missing; 83,000 out of homes

NHK:  Sunday marks half a year since the major earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan. The path to recovery still seems far away as many disaster survivors continue to struggle in rebuilding their lives.

As of Saturday, the number of confirmed deaths from the disaster was 15,781, while 4,086 people remain unaccounted for. About 83,000 people are still living away from their homes.

To accommodate evacuees more than 49,000 units of temporary housing have been built. That is 94 percent of the planned number.

Securing jobs remains one of the top priorities. In the 3 hardest-hit prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima, the number of people who have lost their jobs or temporarily left work totals about 158,000.
An NHK survey shows that 50 percent of temporary housing residents say they have no prospects for future earnings or will lose their income within a year.

As of July, about 70,000 people were receiving unemployment benefits. But the payments' period is expected to end starting in October. The labor ministry is considering extending the period and offering subsidies to companies that hire the affected people.

Only 5 of 40 hard-hit local communities have drawn up recovery plans. Financial support from the central government is essential for the plans, but how to secure funds remains unclear.

Other recovery challenges include supporting children who have been forced to change schools due to the disaster and the ensuing nuclear accident in Fukushima Prefecture.
The affected children need psychological care and educational support.