Japan is thousands of miles away, but it can feel even farther away for those who have loved ones there.
People across the world have been captivated by the images of the tragic footage. It seems especially poignant to those who have family there.
"I've been watching all night, all morning," said Masaharu Ito.
Masaharu Ito explains how his eyes have been glued to the television, watching the devastating images coming out of his native Japan.
"It's so sad," said Ito. "It's so shocking."
Ito is the owner and chef of Fuji Japanese Restaurant in Haddonfield, New Jersey. He's planning a dinner next month to help with relief efforts.
His family in Japan is all accounted for. The tsunami ravaged area of Sendai is far from his hometown.
Ito has experienced earthquakes before but nothing like this.
"This one is unbelievable. The tsunami hit and the whole thing scoops up all the people, and you see the little kids laying down, it's just a horrible things," said Ito.
Ito was able to reach his family, but with overloaded communication networks, not everyone has been so lucky.
It can be possible to track down people through their cell phone carrier's website. The Red Cross says the best way to locate US Citizens is through the U.S. State Department's Office of Overseas Citizens Services.
Across the area, many are looking for ways to help.
The owner of the Northern Liberties hair salon Signatures du Mei is donating 15% of her profits from Saturday through Thursday to the Red Cross. She hopes others follow suit.
"I think everybody should go on and donate money to the Red Cross, or come get your hair done and donate money that way," said Mary Chan.
The Red Cross and the Salvation Army are among the organizations accepting financial donations.
Links:https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php
http://www.redcross.org/
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf
http://www.state.gov/
OVERSEAS CITIZENS SERVICES:
From within the U.S. 1-888-407-4747
From outside the U.S. 1-202-501-4444
