Earthquake relief: Japanese students in UK raising cash

Rescue workers from other countries have been helping the relief effort

Britain and America are saying people should considering getting out of the Japanese capital, Tokyo.

It's because of growing concerns about the nuclear power station, crippled in last week's earthquake.

They fear radiation from the leaking plant at Fukushima is only going to get worse with crews struggling to cool down one of its reactors.

Students at the University of Manchester have been collecting money to help in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami.

They say they're part of a network of Japanese students across the UK who are trying to help the Red Cross in their relief effort.

Newsbeat has been speaking to some of the Manchester students about the disaster.

Asuka Ishida, 20

"I actually got a text from my father saying my family were OK and I didn't understand what was happening.

"So I opened my laptop and saw the earthquake. I couldn't believe it, it didn't look like my country.

"Fortunately, all my family are OK, but some of my friends here still haven't managed to hear from their families so I feel bad for them.

"I wish I could go to Japan and help, like a volunteer, but I can't.

"But all people round here are very kind, they donate a lot of money for us."

Kevin Jungnitsch, 19

"The current nuclear situation is making it very stressful.

"I woke up to emails from my parents saying my father couldn't locate my mother for a few hours. It was a big shock.

"Once the nuclear situation is settled Japan will bounce back.

"Right now, their spirits are broken but it is an earthquake prone region and they have managed to recover quite quickly from such situations and we've been quite prepared for it."

Yoshihiro Takizawa, 21

"I couldn't imagine what I was seeing was actually happening in my country.

"I got contact with my family the day after the earthquake but I couldn't get through to my friend in Sendai, so I was very concerned."

Wakako Huzaki, 22

"Most of my family live in Tokyo.

"I'm just glad my family are OK, but my friend is still missing.

"Her city was the most damaged by the tsunami.

"She's 22, I hope she's OK, but I guess her home has been destroyed.

"In Japan people are trying to you know recover.

"They try to save electricity, save water, because people up north don't have enough electricity or food or water."

Yoshihiro Nakamura, 19

"People here are really friendly and kind about what's happened in Japan.

"They've been asking us in the street, 'Are you OK?'"