For years Japan has been preparing for the big one, yesterday on a quiet afternoon around 2:46pm the biggest earthquake in Japan's history hit the Hokkaido region devastating the area. Long lines of cars inch along the freeways, store food shelves are empty, and an ordered chaos has developed as Prime Minister Naoto Kan pulls the trigger on the long rehearsed disaster plan.

Google has set up a Japanese Crisis Response page with a people finder directory along with breaking news.

USC students who have been affected and have ties to Japan are encouraged to share and email us your stories!