Most survivors in Japan are considering themselves pretty lucky, after surviving a double catastrophe of an earthquake and tsunami.

Etsuko Oyama is a survivor from Rikusentakata once a port city boasting more than 20-thousand people now virtually wiped out by Friday's roaring tsunami.

She and her daughter were on their building's third floor when the ferocious tidal wave came ashore.

Etsuko Oyama, Tsunami Survivor, said, "A tsunami hit us. I grabbed something tightly, holding my daughter's hand, but I lost my grip when I was swept away in the debris and water."

Oyama was saved by a fast-reacting neighbor, and desperately hopes her missing daughter is alive somewhere, somehow.

Etsuko Oyama, Tsunami Survivor, said, "I managed to survive, but my daughter was washed away. I don't know what to say. I hope my daughter is still alive somewhere."

Natori is another town in northeast Japan badly ravaged by the twin disasters.

Local survivor Tatsuro Ishikawa says he was dragged underwater, after his house was swamped by a powerful surge.

Tatsuro Ishikawa, Tsunami Survivor, said, "Fortunately, I saw that there were still people inside the building, so I cried for help. I thought I was dying, then I was pushed into the water, then I stopped and focused on my family. I decided to make every effort to survive."

Ishikawa recalls facing tremendous difficulties beneath the frothing current, and feels blessed to have made it out unscathed.

Tsunami Survivor, said, "I felt so cold in the water. I tried to get out, but my pants were caught by something in the rubble."

Their traumatic experiences will undoubtedly exert great influence on the lives of the survivors. Medical professionals say escaping the psychological shadow cast by the events could pose major problems for some individuals. But they add that whatever doesn't destroy people, should only make them stronger.