People from across Japan want to offer a helping hand in quake-hit Ishikawa Prefecture. About 26,000 individuals have registered as volunteers.

But logistical problems mean fewer than 2,800 of them have actually set foot in the disaster zone.

Banjo Shigeo's home in Suzu City was damaged by the massive quake on New Year's Day.

A back injury sidelined him for about three weeks, and volunteers were seen helping out at the house. Banjo said the volunteers are very efficient and helpful.

If the volunteers were stationed nearby, they would be able to make even more of a difference. But they have been compelled to travel to affected areas by bus from Kanazawa City.

A one-way journey can take several hours. On Monday, authorities extended transportation services, so that people can work for at least four hours a day.

A volunteer said, "We had to leave even though it was still bright. We could've done more here. So yes, the extension is welcome."

Hase Hiroshi, the governor of Ishikawa, is trying to secure accommodations for the volunteers and workers rebuilding the prefecture's infrastructure.

One plan involves building prefabricated housing. Quake-hit local hotels and inns will be paid to handle operations.

Hase said, "Demand for accommodation will likely rise because there are more volunteers here. We need to secure and prepare more places they can stay, so disaster-hit areas can be quickly restored."

The quake damaged more than 70,000 homes in Ishikawa.

Many areas, such as a district in Wajima City, were cut off. Most of the 700 residents have now evacuated. Only six remain.

Omukai Minoru and his wife are two of them. They have been without running water since the earthquake struck. Omukai said that he feels as if everybody else has deserted them.

Landslides blocked a road connecting the district with the city center.

Another resident said the route must be reopened as soon as possible. He said he fears the community's young people may never return.