A Russian Emergencies Ministry Il-76 plane with 50 search-and-rescue workers, operatives and special-purpose equipment has landed at Tokyo airport. The plane is now due to take off and set course for the city of Yamagata, – the closest to the area of destruction, bought about by the earthquake and the ensuing tidal wave on March 11th. The airliner brought medicines, tents, blankets and prime necessities to Japan. A rescue helicopter is also leaving Russia for Japan to take part in search-and-rescue operations in the north of the country.