Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

"The United States stands ready to help the Japanese people in this time of great trial. The friendship and alliance between our two nations is unshakeable, and only strengthens our resolve to stand with the people of Japan as they overcome this tragedy."

-President Barack Obama

President Obama Talks on Phone with Secretary Napolitano and FEMA Administrator Fugate

President Barack Obama talks on the phone in the Oval Office with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate regarding the earthquake in Japan and the tsunami warnings across the Pacific, March 11, 2011. Listening in the background, from left, are: Assistant Press Secretary Nick Shapiro, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security John Brennan; Richard Reed, National Security Staff Senior Director for Resilience; and Daniel Russel, National Security Staff Director Asian Affairs. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Following the earthquakes and subsequent tsunami that hit on March 11, 2011, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said in a statement. "Our thoughts and our prayers remain with the people of Japan… As directed by the President, we have offered our Japanese friends whatever assistance is needed as America will stand with Japan as they recover and rebuild."

How You Can Help

USAID is coordinating the overall U.S. government efforts in support of the Japanese government’s response to the earthquakes and subsequent tsunami. Visit www.usaid.gov for information about supporting the response efforts.

U.S. Government Information

View an extensive list of links to relevant resources across the Federal Government at USA,gov.

For U.S. Citizens in Japan

Statement by U.S. Ambassador John V. Roos on March 16, 2011:

The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Department of Energy and other technical experts in the U.S. Government have reviewed the scientific and technical information they have collected from assets in country, as well as what the Government of Japan has disseminated, in response to the deteriorating situation at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. Consistent with the NRC guidelines that apply to such a situation in the United States, we are recommending, as a precaution, that American citizens who live within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant evacuate the area or to take shelter indoors if safe evacuation is not practical.

We want to underscore that there are numerous factors in the aftermath of the earthquake and Tsunami, including weather, wind direction and speed, and the nature of the reactor problem that affect the risk of radioactive contamination within this 50 mile (80 km) radius or the possibility of lower-level radioactive materials reaching greater distances.

The U.S. Embassy will continue to update American citizens as the situation develops. U.S. citizens in need of emergency assistance should send an e-mail to JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov with detailed information about their location and contact information, and monitor the U.S.

Department of State website at travel.state.gov.

The United States is continuing to do everything in its power to help Japan and American citizens who were there at the time of these tragic events. To support our citizens there, the Embassy is working around the clock, we have our consular services available 24 hours a day to determine the whereabouts and well-being of all U.S. citizens in Japan and we have offered our Japanese friends assistance, including disaster response experts, search and rescue teams, technical advisers with nuclear expertise and logistical support from the United States military.