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Google launches Person Finder for Japan following devastating earthquake

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 7:05PM EST
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Following a devastating 8.9-magnitude earthquake that struck 230 miles off the coast of Tokyo, Japan, Google has announced a free Web-based tool that will help people locate friends and loved ones. The massive earthquake — one of the largest ever recorded — struck overnight and was following by a series of intense aftershocks. Tsunamis measuring over 20-feet tall were triggered, and the power of the tremendous quakes will send massive waves all the way to the west coast of the U.S. and beyond. Google’s Person Finder tool is already home to over 7,000 records, intended to help those with friends and family in affected regions locate loved ones with whom they may have lost contact. Hundreds have already been confirmed dead in Japan and many more have been reported missing. Our thoughts are with those affected and we urge readers to provide any aid possible if they are in a position to do so.

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Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.