Damages at Japanese assisted reproductive technology clinics by the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake of 2011

The Great Eastern Japan Earthquake of 2011 and consequent tsunami affected many IVF clinics in northeastern Japan. Twelve clinics lost at least one embryo, but all the frozen embryos stored in liquid nitrogen tanks were safe. Emergency power supply is the first priority issue in an unpredictable natural disaster. (Fertil Steril (R) 2011; 95: 2568-70. (C) 2011 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)