Japanese Power Company Creates Twitter Account for Nuclear Plant Updates

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The account has amassed almost 190,000 followers in less than a day. And so far, TEPCO has sent seven tweets, all in Japanese.

The damage to nuclear plants has been a major point of concern, as radiation leaks and the threat of a major nuclear meltdown looms. The Twitter feed will be another way to keep Japanese residents, and the rest of the world, informed about the plants.

TEPCO says it will use the Twitter account to notify people of power blackouts and radiation leaks. The first tweet warned of blackouts in Tokyo, if electricity use wasn't reduced, according to AFP. The power company has imposed rolling, three-hour-long blackouts as it attempts to balance electric supply and demand.

Social media has played a vital role in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami. People have used social media sites to find loved ones, and Japan's prime minister created an English-language Twitter account earlier this week, too.

Here's a roundup of our coverage of social media and technology as it relates to the events in Japan, and ways you can help:

Twitter Users React To Massive Quake, Tsunami In Japan

Google Responds to the Japan Earthquake With an Online Crisis Center

Watch: YouTube Footage of Japan Quake [VIDEOS]

HOW TO: Follow the Japan Earthquake Online

The ‘Godzilla’ Incident: Did Twitter Users Gang Up on CNN Earthquake Anchor?

Run a Website or Blog? You Can Help Japan With One Code Snippet

Help Japan: Facebook Click Helps Dogs Rescue Trapped Quake Victims

Apple & Microsoft Take Different Approaches to Japan Relief

Japan Earthquake & Tsunami: 7 Simple Ways to Help

AT&T, Sprint & Verizon Offer Free Calls & Texts to Japan From U.S. [UPDATED]

How Facebook Users Reacted to the Japan Earthquake & Tsunami [ANIMATED GRAPHIC]