Japan 'quake death toll, number of missing is over 23,000

TOKYO, March 23 (Itar-Tass) - Death toll and the number of those
missing as a result of the recent devastating earthquake in Japan and the
ensuing tsunami has risen to over 23,000, National Police Agency reports
Wednesday.
According to the data issued, the official death toll is 9,301, and
13,786 people are listed as missing. Various injuries have been sustained
by 2,722 people. Damage suffered by Japan as the result of the natural
calamities is tentatively estimated to be from 15 to 25 trillion yen
(from185 to 308 billion US dollars). It is so far impossible to estimate
in full the economic losses that have been incurred as a result of
electricity outages, or damage inflicted by the breakdown at the
Fukushima-1 nuclear power station.
The government of Japan is planning to allocate 10 trillion yen ($127
billion) for the rehabilitation of disaster-hit regions of the country.
The funds will be turned over as credits to companies that are engaging in
rehabilitation work.