Many volunteer workers are expected to help out with recovery efforts in the quake-hit Noto Peninsula of the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa during the extended spring holiday that began on Saturday.
Ishikawa Prefecture has been recruiting more volunteers for the holiday period, as many people affected by the devastating January 1 quake are expected to return home during this time. It is also likely to be easier for volunteers to adjust their schedules during the long break.
The prefecture is accepting an average of 340 volunteers a day in the 10 days through May 6. That is about 40 percent more than during the 10-day period through April 22.
In Ishikawa's Suzu City, volunteers gathered in front of the city's social welfare office on Saturday morning. They were sent in groups of about 10 people each to help move household goods from homes hit by the quake and tsunami, sort out waste and other tasks.
A volunteer from Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, said it was difficult for him to come because the region is far from his home. But he says he wants to contribute as much as he can during the long holiday. He also said that after actually seeing the place with his own eyes, he senses there is still much more to be done.
A man who requested help from volunteers said he was grateful that so many people came to help because cleaning up on his own had come to feel like an endless task.