7,000 U.S. troops join Japan forces for 3-day intense search for people missing after tsunami

[tabatha]

3-day intensive search for missing tsunami victims begins

TOKYO, April 1, Kyodo

The Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military began on Friday a three-day intensive search for those still missing three weeks after a quake-triggered massive tsunami wiped out a swath of coastal cities and towns in Japan's northeast.

Using dozens of ships and helicopters, about 18,000 SDF personnel and about 7,000 U.S. military personnel will engage in the operation, with members of the police, the Japan Coast Guard and fire departments also taking part, according to the Defense Ministry and other sources.

The areas covered include shores that were largely submerged or remain under water and mouths of major rivers in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, which were hit hard by the March 11 tsunami, within about 18 kilometers from the coastline.



http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/04/82460.html