Three weeks have passed since the earthquake and tsunami wreaked havoc across northeastern Japan. More than 28,000 people are dead or missing. 170,000 survivors are leading the lives of refugees. As time passes, more information about the scale of the disaster becomes known. It now appears that tidal waves swelled to 30 meters in some places. The extent of the damage to farming, fishing, and manufacturing is also becoming apparent. As for the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the situation remains serious, with worldwide implications. France and the United States are providing assistance in efforts to stabilize the condition of the facility. The chairman of TEPCO, the utility company that runs the plant, has acknowledged the necessity of decommissioning at least four of the damaged reactors.