Japan Earthquake 2011 Citizens leave notes and messages for missing family member on a bulletin board at Shiogama City Gymnasium here March 21. Service members with U.S. Forces Japan (Fwd) and Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces surveyed the school and made plans to establish power, food, and water supply lines. The school is being utilized as an internally displaced persons camp for residents affected by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck mainland Japan March 11, causing widespread damage. As part of Operation Tomodachi, U.S. Forces Japan stands ready to support our Japanese partners and to provide assistance when called upon.
