TOKYO - The upper house of the Japanese Diet adopted a resolution Friday to express appreciation to overseas aid following the devastating March 11 earthquake and ensuing tsunami.

Related readings: Calls grow for Japan PM to quit in wake of quake  Banking stem cells could save Japan nuke workers  Forced to leave home, Japan man kills self  Japan's woes, world crisis

The resolution, adopted unanimously by the House of Councillors, said the aid has been a source of hope not just for the victims but for all the people in Japan.

A total of 135 countries and regions, along with 39 international organizations, have provided support to Japan as of Thursday, according to the Foreign Ministry.

A 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific coastal areas of northeastern and eastern Japan on March 11, triggering enormous tsunami.

The National Police Agency said on Thursday that the March 11 earthquake and tsunami have left 13,498 people dead and 14,734 others unaccounted for in Japan by 19:00 pm local time (1000 GMT) .