Middle School Principal, Ishinomaki, Japan, said, "350 students have registered for the new semester.

Middle School Student, Ishinomaki, Japan, said, "Classes have not begun yet.

Later he used a friend’s helicopter to fly food, medicines and mobile-phone chargers to Miyagi, but was refused permission to land.

Half of those killed were elderly; 95% of the dead in Miyagi prefecture, one of the worst-hit areas, drowned, according to new police statistics.

Ishinomaki, Japan (CNN) -- The grandfather sits perched on a hill, staring down at the shell of an elementary school.