Returning to Fukushima, a journey through the nuclear exclusion zone

Summary

The video script recounts an urban explorer's return to Fukushima, years after the 2011 disaster. It documents the evolving exclusion zone, the cleanup efforts, and the emotional impact of the aftermath. The explorer revisits once-restricted areas now open or being repopulated, reflecting on the resilience and rebuilding efforts of the Japanese people. From abandoned buildings to demolished structures, the script captures the haunting yet hopeful transformation of the area.

Takeaways

• 🌪️ The Fukushima disaster, triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami, led to three meltdowns at the Daiichi nuclear power station, causing widespread evacuations due to radioactive contamination.
• 📸 Urban explorer Bob revisits the exclusion zone of Fukushima after the pandemic, documenting the ongoing changes and efforts to decontaminate and rebuild the area.
• 🏗️ The exclusion zone in Fukushima is in a state of constant evolution, with active demolitions, renovations, and repopulation of villages, unlike the static nature of Chernobyl's exclusion zone.
• 🚦 Route 6, once the only open road in the restricted area, has seen a decrease in radiation levels and a transformation from a construction site to a more accessible area with lifted restrictions.
• 🏚️ Many buildings along Route 6 have been demolished or emptied, serving as a stark reminder of the disaster's impact, while others remain untouched due to lack of homeowner consent.
• 🏠 The residents of the affected areas have the choice to either return to their original homes or relocate elsewhere in Japan.
• 🏫 Schools and other public buildings that were once the site of the disaster have been demolished or preserved as memorials, reflecting the community's resilience and the passage of time.
• 🛒 A once popular grocery store, a symbol of the disaster's aftermath, has been cleaned out, indicating a significant shift in the area's recovery process.
• 🚗 Abandoned vehicles from the time of the disaster remain, some fenced off out of respect for the owners or due to inability to contact them, showcasing a unique aspect of Japanese culture and respect for property.
• 🌳 Nature has begun to reclaim the area, with some houses and structures becoming overgrown, illustrating the passage of time and the healing power of nature.
• 🌆 As the exclusion zone changes, new developments like hotels and a Pokemon park signal a return to normalcy and the rebirth of communities that were once abandoned.

Q & A

What was the cause of the disaster in Fukushima?

A 9.1 magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami that resulted in three meltdowns at the Daiichi nuclear power station.

How did the disaster affect the local population?

Thousands of people were evacuated due to radioactive contamination.

What was the emotional impact of visiting the exclusion zone for the narrator?

It was one of the most emotionally impactful experiences to date for the narrator.

How does the exclusion zone of Fukushima differ from Chernobyl's?

The exclusion zone of Fukushima is constantly evolving, with efforts being made to remove radiation and renovate or demolish structures.

What changes have occurred in the exclusion zone since the narrator's last visit?

Many buildings have been demolished, radiation levels have slightly decreased, and some villages have been repopulated.

What was the condition of Route 6 during the narrator's first visit?

During the first visit, Route 6 was the only open road in the restricted area, with guards monitoring entry and exit, and stopping or parking was strictly prohibited.

What is the current state of Route 6?

Route 6 now looks a lot emptier, with most side streets no longer barricaded as some restrictions have been lifted.

What was the Pachinko Hall's fate?

The Pachinko Hall, which was a massive abandoned building along Route 6, has been demolished.

How has the residential area in Tomioka changed?

Restrictions have been lifted in the residential area of Tomioka, with many buildings demolished and some still standing due to the house owners' permissions.

What is the current situation in Namie, the biggest affected village?

Namie has seen restrictions lifted, and the area is being cleaned out, with some buildings still standing but most having been demolished.

What is the significance of the clock stopped at 3:37 PM in an iconic building near the shore?

The clock stopped at the time when a 15-meter high tsunami reached the building, marking a significant moment of the disaster.

What is the current state of the Ukedo Elementary School?

Ukedo Elementary School is now the first memorial that opened in the prefecture in 2021, preserved in a damaged state.

How is the area around the nuclear power station now?

The area has seen new roads and a dyke constructed, and many buildings have been swept away by the tsunami.

What is the narrator's impression of the changes in the exclusion zone?

The narrator is amazed by the determination of the Japanese to rebuild and make the area livable again, noting that in a few years, almost every trace of the disaster will be gone.