The Japanese government is accelerating its efforts to assess the extent of the damage caused by Monday's massive earthquake in central Japan, in order to boost financial support for reconstruction work in the disaster-hit areas.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said on Saturday that he realizes how severe the damage is, as the death toll from the disaster has topped 100.

The government intends to designate the earthquake as a "disaster of extreme severity" within a week. The designation will enable the government to increase state subsidies for restoring public facilities and farmland.

The government plans to fast-track the application process for people in the hardest-hit prefecture of Ishikawa to be granted state support for rebuilding their lives.

Under the measure, families whose houses were completely destroyed or severely damaged will be provided with up to 3 million yen, or about 20,000 dollars, in aid.

The government also plans to send officials to the affected areas to help local municipalities rent available rooms in hotels and inns for evacuees.

To overcome challenges facing isolated areas, the government plans to carry out repair work on heavily damaged roads, including those along the coast managed by Ishikawa Prefecture.

Government officials will call on the public and residents to refrain from using private vehicles to secure transportation routes for relief supplies and other aid. The prefecture will place traffic restrictions on some roads.