The rocky road to recovery

With prayers and ceremonies, people across northern Japan on Saturday marked the three months since the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck large areas of the Pacific coast on March 11. About 15,400 people have been confirmed dead and over 8,000 are still listed as missing, while survivors try to adjust to life without loved ones amid a continuing nuclear radiation emergency. In one unexpected consequence of the tragedy, matchmaking agencies are reporting a sharp increase in single women looking for husbands. It seems they have realised the importance of having the backing of a family to support them through difficult times.