With the casualties of the catastrophic quake and ensuing tsunami on the rise, international rescue teams from all over the world have rushed to Japan on search and rescue missions.

The United Nations has deployed a seven-member expert team to Japan to assist the disaster-stricken nation with its relief efforts.

Meanwhile, specialized UN agencies, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Health Organization, are in close contact with the Japanese authorities.

Australia Tuesday said search and rescue teams, victim identification units and paramedics are on standby to help deal with the aftermath of Japan's disaster.

Ukraine was also prepared to dispatch a group of 45 rescuers with special equipment to Japan on Monday.

Ukraine, which has rich experience in overcoming the effects of radioactive pollution acquired during the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, is also ready to provide the assistance of its nuclear power experts to Tokyo.

Moreover, two French detachments of civil defense and Crisis Center staff under the foreign ministry, composed of 116 persons, were sent to Japan on Monday.

Nepal's government decided Monday to send a 15-member rescue team to Japan to assist in the ongoing rescue of victims of the devastating tsunami triggered by the earthquake.

The government spokesperson said that the dispatch of the rescue team is a gesture of sympathy to the Japanese people.

A 50-member rescue team made up of doctors, nurses and paramedics from the private and public sectors in South Africa left for Japan Monday evening.

"We want to make a difference and will be working with other teams from around the world. The South African contingent believes we will be making a tangible contribution, and our hope is that we can share some of South Africa's ubuntu (a Zulu word for brotherhood) philosophy with Japan," Rescue South Africa Chief Executive Officer Ian Sher said.

Meanwhile, other international rescue teams have arrived in Japan and have started relief efforts.

A team of South Korean rescue workers Tuesday began search and rescue operations in a Japanese town.

Of 107 South Korean rescuers dispatched to the neighboring country, 90 joined Japanese police officers in the early morning for operations at a Sendai district, marking the first search and rescue effort in the ravaged area.

The Chinese international search and rescue team continued its relief work Tuesday in Ofunato, Iwate, which was heavily damaged by the earthquake and ensuing tsunami.

The 15-member Chinese team arrived in Ofunato Sunday night, and is the first overseas team to join the relief efforts in the city. Rescue teams from the United States and Britain will also be joining local and Chinese rescuers to carry out relief work in the area.