The New Year's Day earthquake and tsunami in central Japan left extensive devastation in its wake. Residents in affected areas of Ishikawa Prefecture still need support as they try to put their lives back together.

Eleven people from Wajima City, some of them elderly, waited at a nearby airport to be evacuated to facilities elsewhere.

A male evacuee said, "My house was on the verge of collapsing, and when it rained water gushed down from the damaged roof."

A Self-Defense Force transport aircraft took them to another airport in the prefecture. The residents will stay in inns and hotels in these less-damaged areas.

As of Thursday, in Wajima and nearby Suzu City, 26 people remained isolated in at least five districts. It is a number that has been steadily dropping.

Ishikawa Governor Hase Hiroshi said on Friday, "I understand that we have turned the corner in getting residents out of isolated districts. We believe the issue of isolated areas have almost been resolved."

A major challenge in Ishikawa Prefecture is supporting elderly people who need nursing care.

A 75-year-old man had been receiving nursing care at home twice a day. He has been bed-ridden following a brain infarction. He has since had difficulty speaking.

Since the disaster, he receives only one visit each day. His daughter, who lives separately, has been staying at his home to take care of him. She said, "I think that until infrastructure in disaster-hit areas is improved, I will take time off from work to take care of my father, and encourage other family members to cooperate."

A home nursing care provider in Wajima has resumed services for five elderly people. But three of its six care workers still have not been able to return to work.

Many providers in Wajima and Suzu have been unable to resume services because of the extent of the damage. Some users of such services, including the elderly and those with physical disabilities, are said to be suffering from poor nutrition.

Meanwhile, residents who can are rebuilding their lives. And Wajima City officials have begun issuing the disaster-victim certificates these residents will need to receive public support.

Two elementary schools in Nanao City reopened on Friday. Students at this elementary school were reunited with their classmates. A school girl said that she is happy to finally see her classmates.

In Ishikawa Prefecture, the death toll from the quake stands at 232 as of Friday afternoon. Some are thought to have died of disaster-related causes. Search efforts continue for at least 22 people who are still missing.