According to Mainichi newspaper, one of the largest dailies in Japan, there are at least 1,800 dead, over 20,000 missing and more than 340,000 people in shelters, as of 21:00 local time. (Source: http://mainichi
There have been remarkable tales reported by various news organizations. Without a doubt, more stories will come to light, but the following is a random selection. NB — Sources are in Japanese.
A 60-year-old man has been rescued 15km off the coast of Fukushima, after surviving on a rooftop for almost two days. He was washed away with his house by the tsunami. (Source: http://sankei.jp.
Two babies have been delivered in Miyako, Iwate, where large parts of the city had been destroyed by the tsunami. (Source: http://www.
In Minami-Sanriku, where around 10,000 are unaccounted for, a 25-year-old civil servant kept on broadcasting via the public loudspeakers until the tsunami hit the town about 30 minutes after the quake, warning the inhabitants of a large tsunami to come, and urging people to make their escape to the higher grounds. The 3-storey building where she was making the broadcast was destroyed, and she is missing, after being swept away. (Source: http://mainichi.jp/