http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/article1532157.ece?homepage=true

...
For three hours after hearing about the tsunami in Japan, Delhi resident Dr A.P. Mishra tried to contact his daughter, Surabhi, a student of biology at the Hokkaido University. Unable to get through, he contacted Mr Sandeep Baruah, a Ham radio operator.

Mr Baruah posted the message on an internal e-mailing system used by Ham radio operators. This was picked up and relayed further by Mr Rammohan, Director of Hyderabad's National Institute of Amateur Radio. Since Mr Rammohan was using the amateur radio when the earthquake occurred, he could get across to fellow Ham-radio operator, Ms Kiyoko Miyoshi, in Japan, who called the University officials and relayed to Surabhi, her father's message.

...

Quoted:
Japan is NOT a Third world Country.

following information received from Ken Yamamoto JA1CJP of JARL
these frequencies are known to be in use for the response to the
Japanese earthquake.

7043 kHz SSB controled by JR3QHQ the Osaka branch manager of JARL He is
gathering incident information on radio and forwarding this information
onto the internet.

7075 kHz SSB is operated by JL3YSP in Wakayama occasionally.

7030 kHz which is the JARL emergency communication frequency in their
bandplan is in use by JA7RL (JARL regional HQ station).

The last frequency is particularly QRP relevant. There are obviously
propagation factors which would limit their range but would all amateurs
please make every effort to avoid interfering with emergency
communications on these frequencies.