Google preserves pre-tsunami memories of Japan

Google has launched a website dedicated to preserving the memories of Japanese communities devastated by the March earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

Theproject, called "Memories for the Future" ("Mirai e no kioku" in Japanese), allows viewers to take a virtual journey through the affected areas before and after the disaster.

Google has posted new Street View images as well as any pictures sent to the company'ssite by Japanese citizens.

The images represent 82 cities and villages in the affected areas.

"To help people share their photographs and videos that did survive, Google created this site," the mission statement reads. "It is our hope that this will help people rediscover lost memories of their homes and towns."