The Agonist has a comprehensive if deeply depressing piece detailing the multitude of severe problems facing Japan now, any one of which could cripple a country. Talk Left has more, including the sombre news that six reactors have failed or are in danger of doing so.
Hundreds of thousands are homeless. Millions of homes and businesses have no water, power, or phone service. The quake area was a major agricultural center. But the tsunami dumped salt water and quite possibly toxic residue on crop land. Thus, that land is probably no longer arable, at least not for a while. Their damaged reactors could mean large areas are not fit for habitation. And so on…
The impact of this on the world economy will be huge and ongoing.