The death toll from a major earthquake in Japan rises to 23, according to reports from multiple outlets. Rescuers continue search and recovery operations as authorities assess the extent of damage and the scale of casualties. At least 63 people are reported injured, with five described as seriously hurt. The number of people missing remains unclear, reflecting ongoing challenges in accounting for affected residents and coordinating information across impacted areas. Sources describe the response as a race against time, with teams working under difficult conditions to locate survivors and identify victims. Updates are expected as officials confirm fatalities and refine injury figures and missing-person counts. The reports focus on the continuing efforts by emergency services, and on the uncertainty surrounding the number of people unaccounted for in the aftermath of the quake.