Author | Raquel C. Pico
In 2011, Japan experienced a powerful earthquake followed by a tsunami, both of which had devastating consequences. The earthquake registered a magnitude of 9.1 on the Richter scale, and its impact, combined with tsunami waves reaching up to 40 meters, resulted in the loss of 19,759 lives. Its repercussions triggered additional catastrophes, including the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
What happened in Fukushima
Before 2011, nuclear energy accounted for 30% of Japan’s electricity supply. Fukushima Prefecture housed a nuclear power plant with six reactors in Ōkuma, near the coastline. At the time of the earthquake, not all reactors were operational, yet this did not prevent one of the most severe nuclear disasters in history. In 2021, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) classified the disaster as Level 7—the highest severity—equating it to the Chernobyl catastrophe. In fact, Fukushima ranks as the second-worst nuclear disaster in history, surpassed only by Chernobyl.
When the earthquake struck, Japan’s emergency protocols were swiftly activated. With well-established earthquake safety plans in place, the reactors were promptly shut down. However, the tsunami that followed the earthquake severely damaged the emergency generators, which were crucial for cooling the residual heat from the reactors. This failure resulted in hydrogen explosions, releasing radioactive emissions into the atmosphere and discharging contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean. This marked the beginning of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
At the outset, around 154,000 people were evacuated from within a 30-kilometer radius of the power plant.
What happened after the disaster
In comparison to the Chernobyl disaster, the Fukushima incident resulted in 16 workers being injured and one death directly linked to the disaster. In 2018, Japan officially recognized that the death, caused by cancer, was directly related to the nuclear accident. However, it is important to note that some people argue that a significant number of deaths occurred during the evacuation process.
The health impacts of the Fukushima disaster
In addition to the immediate victims of the accident, there was widespread concern about the potential medium- and long-term physical and mental health effects of the Fukushima disaster on the population.
Data from official agencies offer a sense of optimism. A 2013 study by the WHO assured that radiation from Fukushima was unlikely to cause an increase in cancer cases. Similarly, a 2021 study by the UN confirmed that no negative health effects had been recorded among residents in the areas affected by the nuclear disaster. However, despite these findings, some studies have contextualized these figures, suggesting that the well-being of people living in the areas affected by the Fukushima disaster has deteriorated.
A 2018 study conducted by experts from several Japanese universities revealed that evacuees exhibited signs of psychological distress when their emotions, life satisfaction, and overall happiness were assessed. The study also highlighted that factors such as difficulty finding employment in the evacuation zones or being separated from loved ones exacerbated this impact.
Similarly, environmental organizations have strongly criticized the effects of Fukushima radiation on the environment, particularly due to the discharge of contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean.
The reconstruction of Fukushima
The power plant is situated in Fukushima Prefecture, an area that is home to approximately two million people. As a result, rebuilding the areas directly affected by the disaster also presents a significant challenge in terms of urban planning and management.
Over the years, the areas classified as exclusion zones—where no one can live or access without an official permit due to the effects of Fukushima radiation—have gradually been reduced. The most recent statistics from Japanese authorities indicate that only 2.2% of the prefecture is now classified as “hard-to-return” areas. Apart from the designated exclusion zones, life has returned to normal in 97.7% of the prefecture, according to the agency responsible for reconstruction. They emphasize that the air, food, and water are clean and safe for human consumption.
Reconstruction efforts have primarily focused on restoring the public image of the affected areas and reviving the villages and towns for their residents. Revitalization plans also focus on rebranding the area, shifting its identity from the Fukushima disaster to one centered around its “natural beauty, history and culture”. The museum, which chronicles the story of the disaster, aims to be more than just a dark tourism site. Instead, it seeks to “promote hope tourism” and serve as an educational resource for visitors.
Initially, the area was filled with “ghost towns,” quickly abandoned by residents. However, over the years, new towns have emerged through the implementation of “plans to establish specified living areas for returnees and environmental improvements,” as stated on the official website. These efforts include land decontamination and the demolition of damaged housing. In addition to the effects of the nuclear accident, buildings were also damaged by the tsunami’s rising waters, flooding, and the decade-long period of abandonment.
A portion of the population has returned, but not everyone. Returning to the town one once left behind is like “finally reaching the starting line and being able to recover normality,” said one resident to CNN when returning to Katsurao in 2022.
The return to Futaba in the same year underscores the challenges of the process, as highlighted by The Guardian. On one hand, these towns struggle to regain their former populations, as many residents have relocated and built new lives with jobs in other parts of Japan. On the other hand, the lack of services and the ongoing reconstruction efforts discourage many from returning. Only 10% of the residents who lived in the area before the disaster expressed a desire to return. Sixty percent have stated that they do not plan to return. Equally important is the fact that 46% of evacuees still fear the lingering effects of pollution, according to a study by Kwansei Gakuin University.
Restoring areas after disasters is achievable, as shown by the examples of cities that have been rebuilt after wars. It is a slow and challenging process. Japanese authorities estimate that it will take around 40 years to fully decontaminate the affected area.
How the Fukushima disaster changed the future
The repercussions of the Fukushima accident extend far beyond the immediate affected area. The nuclear disaster had a negative impact on the public perception of nuclear energy. Numerous European countries expedited their denuclearization plans, while Japan reduced its reliance on nuclear energy, dropping from 30% to just 5% of its energy mix. Political efforts to revive nuclear energy in Japan have not prospered, and public opposition continues to outweigh support.
Fukushima indirectly accelerated the shift towards renewable energy, which was already a key focus on the agenda. The crisis further diversified the energy sector, introducing new alternatives like green hydrogen, and increasing the prominence of sustainable energy solutions. In fact, the Japanese authorities have committed to using Fukushima’s abandoned and contaminated land to develop 11 solar farms and 10 wind farms, a project that is already underway, as shown by before-and-after images of the area from the NASA Earth Observatory.
Photo | krestafer/iStock
