Considering that the Japanese keep scrupulous records of both births and deaths, I think they will be able to get a fairly close number.
I suspect the number will be surprisingly small. My guess will be under 5000.
When my uncle lived there he said they drilled for the various possible disasters all the time. Said they kept a running tally of who entered and left the building he worked in and everyone knew where they belonged if there was a quake or something for another count.
Tsunami warning center raises magnitude of Japan quake to 9.1
Friday, March 11, 2011 8:21:13 PM · 49 of 56
SE Mom to txhurl
When he came on for his press conference today I simply couldn’t bear to listen- I muted it and walked the dog.
As to the loss of life, there’s an excellent reporter for CNN who’s been making her way up north from Tokyo all night and morning. She said she’s been hearing figures of possible deaths that are so mind boggling that she won’t report them- couldn’t find them credible. Then- as she has gotten further north and has begun talking with more people with family and friends up there, she realizes the numbers may be true. She said they (people living in area) simply didn’t believe the water could ever come inland so far.
Remember, the tsunami came inland SIX MILES, with 10- 15 minutes warning at the most ..
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2687507/posts?q=1&;page=51