Shows

Fukushima Monologue

Following the March 2011 accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, everyone within a 20km area was ordered to evacuate. Matsumura Naoto alone stayed put. For 10 years, he has taken care of animals abandoned by those who left. Only a few people have since returned, but the reconstruction is in full swing. Matsumura's home is changing beyond recognition. In Fukushima Monologue, we hear his story. It gives us a chance to reflect on resilience, and what is truly important.

For the past 10 years, Matsumura Naoto has looked after cows that made it through the disaster.
Reconstruction work in Tomioka is ongoing. In spring 2017, the evacuation order was largely rescinded.
Matsumura looks up at a pylon in the forest. It used to deliver power to the Tokyo area.
In Tomioka, mushroom hunting was one of the joys of autumn. But high radiation levels mean that the consumption of most wild mushrooms is still avoided.

Transcript