The latest death toll rises to 12, 009, with 15,472 still unaccounted for after a mega quake and ensuing tsunami hit northeastern and eastern Japan on March 11, according to Kyodo's report Sunday.

The search for the missing by Japan and U.S. forces will end on Sunday and the country will shift its focus to a daunting reconstruction effort.

A 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific coastal areas of northeastern and eastern Japan on March 11, triggering enormous tsunami.

Heavy casualties and extensive damage have been caused by the twin disasters.