The death toll from last week’s powerful earthquake in Japan has risen to at least 44. More than 2,000 are in evacuation centers, and a lack of food is a continuing problem in some communities.

CGTN’s Barnaby Lo reports from the island of Hokkaido.

It’s only been a few days since a magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the northern Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido. However, the capital of Sapporo is back to its bustling self.

But at groceries, however, and it becomes a different story. Food continues to be in short supply. However, water in the area is back, and food is being supplied to the hard-hit town of Atsuma.

Meanwhile, Kiyota is the only district in Sapporo to suffer significant damages. Shoko Nakagawa showed CGTN cracks the earthquake made around her house.

Rescue teams from Tokyo Police search for missing people in Astuma on September 9, 2018 after a 6.6-magnitude earthquake hit the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido on September 6. (AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS / Jiji Press / Japan OUT)

The final verdict for her home was a red warning. However, with renovations made to the house just two years ago, she says making a decision to leave can be harder than it seems.

“I have no idea what to do. We might have to relocate, but if we can stay here, we’d like to keep the house.” Nakagawa said.

So for now, the family stays safe but close to home. They make a little sacrifice by sleeping in their vehicle at night.