Hi Tokyo, Japan — In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Japan was struck by the most powerful earthquake the nation has experienced in 140 years, leaving devastation, grief,

and an entire country in crisis. The 9.1-magnitude quake,

with its epicenter off the northeast coast near Miyagi Prefecture, shook the nation for more than a full minute, sending violent tremors through Tokyo over 300 kilometers away.

Seismic alarms blared across the country, giving some residents precious seconds to seek safety, yet the force of the disaster proved overwhelming.

More than 3,000 people have been confirmed dead, with thousands more missing.

Entire coastal towns were obliterated as a massive tsunami, with waves towering over 10 meters, surged inland, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and fishing boats like they were toys.

In a solemn address, Japan’s Prime Minister declared a national state of emergency, calling the disaster “historic in magnitude” and urging citizens to remain calm. “Japan has faced…

Hospitals in the hardest-hit regions are operating beyond capacity, shelters are verflowing, and over 1.5 million homes are without power.

Shortages of food, clean water, and basic supplies are worsening by the hour. Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, aided by international rescue teams, are racing against time to pull survivors from the rubble.