The National Police Agency said on Friday that the March 11 earthquake and tsunami have left 12,731 people dead and 14,706 others unaccounted for in Japan by 10:00 a. m. local time (0100 GMT).

A 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific coastal areas of northeastern and eastern Japan on March 11, triggering enormous tsunami.

Heavy casualties and extensive damage have been caused by the twin disasters.