Five months after the earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan, some areas are back to normal while others are characterized by temporary housing, piles of rubble and businesses that can't afford to rebuild, with many people still unaccounted for. With a population of 5.7 million, more than 20,000 people were killed and 500,000 suffered damage from the tsunami in the wake of the 9.0 magnitude earthquake.

We spoke with Paul Atkinson, managing director of the insurance division of Cornes & Co. Ltd., and Yoshiro ("J.R.") Hyokawa, senior vice president of Kyoritsu Insurance Brokers of Japan Co. Ltd., both members of the Assurex Global network, about the state of recovery in earthquake-stricken Japan. 

 In this photo taken Saturday May 28, 2011, crows perch on the debris inside the obliterated town of Minamisanriku, Japan. Recovery from the March 11, 2011 tsunami is only inching along in the hardest-hit towns. Many survivors remain in limbo, gripped by deep fears and uncertainties that raise questions about Minamisanriku's future. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

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