People in Tokyo are stocking up on canned foods, for fear of a nuclear disaster. Supermarkets in the capital are now running low on almost everything.

It looks like any other orderly day in Tokyo, after the devastating earthquake hit Japan. But it may not be what it seems.

Local distribution networks have been fully restored and supplies are back to previous levels. But many in Tokyo are still stocking up on necessities like food and drinks.

In some local supermarkets, instant noodles, bread, rice, and drinking water have been sold out.

One Tokyo resident said "There are no noodles, paper tissues, tofu... only liquor and some fish. It's my first shop after the quake, and I am really surprised."

One Tokyo resident said "I can't find what I want to buy in the supermarket. If this situation lasts too long, that will be a big trouble."

One Tokyo resident said "No tissues, no grains, no instant noodles. That's inconvenient."

One Tokyo resident said "There's nothing left in the supermarket. I don't think it's necessary to hoard dairies like milk. But they are sold out today in the blink of an eye. I'm lucky to have bought some, because I started queuing even before the supermarket was open this morning. Everyone is worrying about what's going to happen."

The government has called on the public not to hoard daily necessities, saying the country still has sufficient grain reserves for market supply.