The National Police Agency said that last Friday's catastrophic quake and ensuing tsunami have left 3,676 people dead and 7,558 others unaccounted for in Japan by 08:00 a.m. Wednesday (2300 GMT Tuesday).

According local media reports, around 530,000 evacuees were staying in more than 2,600 shelters in quake-hit areas.

As temperatures dropped sharply to midwinter levels in northeastern Japan, rescue and relief operations continued with 80, 000 Self-Defense Forces personnel and police officers mobilized in the devastated areas, said the reports.

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