Staying in Japan, a special three-day operation, to find the more than 15-THOUSAND people missing since the earthquake and tsunami, has come to a close.

25-THOUSAND personnel from the Japanese Self-Defense Force, police, and coast guard, along with US troops, have been combing the sea and marshlands for bodies since Friday.

The intensive mission, involved 120 aircraft and 65 ships. It covered the three prefectures hit hardest by the twin disasters. 251 bodies were recovered in the search.

A total of around 12-THOUSAND people have been confirmed dead, since the catastrophes struck northeast Japan about three weeks ago.