Death Toll Reaches Over 5,000, Japan Braces For Snow and Freezing Temperatures

Snow and freezing temperatures hampered search and rescue efforts Thursday in Japan. Snow began blanketing tsunami ravaged towns in the northeast, making it harder for rescuers to navigate the rubble. The Japan Meteorological Agency forecast freezing to below freezing temperatures for the prefectures of Miyagi, Fukushima, Iwate and Ibaraki.  

Meanwhile, the death toll climbed from 4,164 on Wednesday to 5,429 on Thursday. The National Police Agency said 9,594 people remain missing. Nearly half a million people are homeless and have taken refuge in shelters.

In a televised address on Wednesday, Emperor Akihito urged citizens to “never give up hope.” "I am deeply hurt by the grievous situation in the affected areas. The number of deceased and missing increases by the day we cannot know how many victims there will be,” he said. “My hope is that as many people possible are found safe.”

"I hope from the bottom of my heart that the people will, hand in hand, treat each other with compassion and overcome these difficult times," Emperor Akihito added.

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