Tokyo, Japan - Japanese authorities have requested that 1.2 million people curtail their showering and laundry habits to prevent any further waste water from entering the overflowing sewers as rescue crews race against time to save a man trapped in a sinkhole. The situation was described by one official as "dire" with reports coming out of Tokyo that suggest a combination of factors such as the recent earthquake, heavy rain fall over the last few days and an overwhelmed sewage system has resulted in toilets backing up and raw sewage filling streets citywide. The authorities are requesting that citizens use their sinks for flushing rather than toilets and reduce their showering frequency to once every five days while washing their clothes only when absolutely necessary. "We need everyone's help right now, all hands on deck, so if we could hold off on bathing until this crisis passes that would be an incredible help" said Kiyoshi Yonemoto of the Japanese Sewage and Water Works Authority. "If we can prevent any more sewage from entering the overwhelmed system then our rescue workers will have a much easier time pumping it out of the sinkhole that has trapped Mr. Yamada." Rescue crews estimate they have 3 days before Mr. Yamada runs out of food and water. Mr. Yonemoto said he is optimistic that everyone in Tokyo will do their part to help save this man's life saying "the Japanese people are some of the most selfless and compassionate on Earth, I know we can pull together and do what needs to be done for our brother.

Tokyo, Japan - Japanese authorities have requested that 1.2 million people curtail their showering and laundry habits to prevent any further waste water from entering the overflowing sewers as rescue crews race against time to save a man trapped in a sinkhole. The situation was described by one official as "dire" with reports coming out of Tokyo that suggest a combination of factors such as the recent earthquake, heavy rain fall over the last few days and an overwhelmed sewage system has resulted in toilets backing up and raw sewage filling streets citywide. The authorities are requesting that citizens use their sinks for flushing rather than toilets and reduce their showering frequency to once every five days while washing their clothes only when absolutely necessary. "We need everyone's help right now, all hands on deck, so if we could hold off on bathing until this crisis passes that would be an incredible help" said Kiyoshi Yonemoto of the Japanese Sewage and Water Works Authority. "If we can prevent any more sewage from entering the overwhelmed system then our rescue workers will have a much easier time pumping it out of the sinkhole that has trapped Mr. Yamada." Rescue crews estimate they have 3 days before Mr. Yamada runs out of food and water. Mr. Yonemoto said he is optimistic that everyone in Tokyo will do their part to help save this man's life saying "the Japanese people are some of the most selfless and compassionate on Earth, I know we can pull together and do what needs to be done for our brother.