Many volunteer centers have been established since an earthquake struck Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures earlier this month, which damaged more than 3,000 housings and buildings. But a local welfare association in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, that sets up volunteer centers in times of disaster has not done so, saying it has not received any requests for help. But some older people are at a loss of what to do, unable to clear out debris on their own.
The municipal office in Soma, which registered a strong 6 on the Japanese earthquake intensity scale, is still trying to find out the exact number of houses and buildings that were damaged.
"Cabinets and bookshelves fell down, and it is impossible to put things back on my own," said a 79-year-old woman who lives with her husband, 79, who has a physical disability.