By early Saturday, more than 50 countries had offered help, said Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

CNN: Widespread destruction from Japan earthquake, tsunamis

In Tokyo, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Japanese victims were two couples in their 60s from Tokyo, but declined to give their names.

NPR: Fiery Balloon Accident Kills 19 Tourists In Egypt

That Japan and here I mean not just the Japan Democratic Party (DPJ) Noda cabinet, but also the ministry of foreign affairs (MOFA) and self-defense forces (SDF) bureaucracies, and, particularly, the factions within the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party (DPJ) and nationalists allied with former Tokyo major Ishihara Shintaro did not expect a ferocious response from China, including shows of naval force and threats of occupation, is not credible.

FORBES: Is Japan Risking War to Save the U.S.-Japan Alliance?