Facebook Inc. Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said Japan's tsunami last year inspired him to seek more ways for his social network to help people hit by natural disasters.

According to The Associated Press, Mr. Zuckerberg, who is visiting Japan, told Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda that he believes Facebook can be used to help people in disasters keep in touch and provide them with crucial information.

He didn't go into details during the brief meeting Thursday, March 29.

Mr. Noda expressed his appreciation and said he felt odd meeting the young entrepreneur after seeing the hit movie "The Social Network," which was based on Mr. Zuckerberg's life and the legal problems he had with others during Facebook's early days.

Laughing, Mr. Zuckerberg said the Hollywood portrayal of him wasn't completely on target. "Very different,'' he said.