Japan Update; As of 17:00, 25/March, TOKYO

The full extent of loss of life remains unclear, as search efforts in Fukushima Prefecture have been hampered by the nuclear emergency, while local police in Miyagi Prefecture have suggested it is likely that more bodies will be recovered from the sea.

Survivors of the disaster have also been threatened by continuing aftershocks, with the Japan Meteorological Agency forecasting a 20 percent likelihood through Sunday of an aftershock with a magnitude of above 7.