The U.S. military on Tuesday vowed continued support for rebuilding the Tohoku region, while Ambassador Caroline Kennedy sent out a message on Twitter saying, "In my prayers today: The women and men of Tohoku who are rebuilding their communities."

In a statement issued by U.S. Forces Japan, top commander Lt. Gen. Salvatore Angelella said: "The Tohoku region's road to recovery will be a long one, but there has been much progress achieved already."