People in Niigata Prefecture awaited relief efforts Sunday after spending a dreadful night in tents and community centers following a series of powerful earthquakes that rocked the area.
Victims remained at a loss amid intermittent aftershocks after larger temblors damaged their homes and crippled water and electricity service.
"I was sincerely hoping to see the dawn as we had no lights due to the blackout," said 68-year-old Shoji Takizawa, a resident of Tokamachi, who spent a sleepless night in a car with his wife and son. "I'm scared to go home as it is a mess."