One week after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, people there have been standing in silence for a minute to remember the victims.

The number is now officially higher than that of the Kobe earthquake in 1995. More than 16,000 people have died or are unaccounted for.

Meanwhile the problems at the Fukushima nuclear plant continue. Firetrucks have started to spray water onto reactor number three in a bid to cool down the spent-fuel storage pool.

Officials say they hope to fix a power cable to at least two of the six reactors in the hope of re-starting water pumps.

In the meantime seven trucks with water cannons are taking it in turn to bombard the reactor with water.

The International Atomic Energy Authority has asked for more detailed information from the Japanese in order to assess the situation.

Residents within a 20 kilometre radius are still unable to return to their homes.

Away from the plant the rescue and clear up operation continues. The freezing temperatures and snow have only added to what was already an unimaginably difficult task.