Japan

Below are presented photographs taken by the Association’s photographer or its members during several visits to Fukushima.

Members of the Association visit an abandoned village located in the immediate vicinity of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant. Futaba 2016.
The president of the Association gives an interview about the reasons for his work in Fukushima for the Japanese channel TBS. Tomioka 2016.
Meeting between the president of Profuturum with the former Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Naoto Kan. During the meeting, Premier Kan talked about his experience eliminating the results of the Fukushima Disaster. Tokyo 2016.
Visiting the abandoned town hall in Futaba. All residents were evacuated from here due to the failure of the nearby Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant. Currently, clean-up and decontamination works are taking place in the city. Futaba 2016.
Traces of the rescue operation are still visible on one of the desks in this office. Futaba 2016.
The abandoned city of Futaba. 2016.
The damaged Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant. Futaba 2016.
A conversation with an evacuated resident of Namie in the house from which he was evacuated. Namie 2015.
The town hall in Namie. 2015.
The abandoned village of Okuma. All residents were evacuated immediately after the disaster in the nearby nuclear power plant. Okuma 2015.
The closed fire station. Fire-fighters from this station were involved in supplying water to cool the damaged reactors in the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant. Tomioka 2016.
A fire-fighter tells describes the evacuation of the inhabitants of nearby towns. Tomioka 2016.
Fire-fighters bid farewell to members of our Association after our visit. Tomioka 2016.
Abandoned swimming pool in Tomioka. 2016.
A farmer involved in the experimental cultivation of plants. Agricultural produce from this area cannot be sold or consumed. Tomioka 2016.
The Kogures took us to the closed zone in Tomioka where, before the disaster, they ran a small bar. They were evacuated as a result of the catastrophe and now live in Iwaki, a town outside the closed zone. There they also opened their new bar (pictured below). Tomioka 2016.
Mr and Mrs Kogure in their new restaurant in Iwaki. Iwaki 2016.
Members of our Association took part in the opening ceremony for the new railway station in Odaka. Prime Minister Shinzō Abe attended the festivities. Odaka 2016.
The Prime Minister of Japan greets the residents of Odaka. Odaka 2016.
One of the landfills in which sacks full of contaminated earth are stored.
Hundreds of public dosimeters have been installed in the areas around the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant to inform locals or passers-by about the current level of radiation. Namie 2015.
Extensive decontamination works are being carried out in the areas around the damaged power plant. The top layer of contaminated soil is removed from the contaminated areas and then packed into sacks and stored in special landfills.
A visit with one of the evacuated residents. During the meeting, we learnt about the evacuation in Futaba and discussed the current problems faced by the evacuated residents. The interview was recorded for future presentations to members and other interested persons.
Meeting with evacuees. During the visit, we learnt not only many interesting details about the unfolding of the disaster and evacuation, but also the opportunity to describe the current situation in Chernobyl. Nihonmatsu 2015.
During our visit, we were also invited to one of the temporary barracks where evacuees live. Nihonmatsu 2015.
Several residents agreed to take us to the closed areas and show the places where they lived before the evacuation. Namie 2015.
After leaving the closed cities, we must always go to a checkpoint where we can ensure that we and our cars have not been contaminated (they showed no signs of contamination). Namie 2016.
The members of our Association also visited Fukushima during spring to see how the closed areas around the damaged power plant are reviving. The blossoming cherry trees look beautiful. Apparently, Tomioka was home to one of the most beautiful cherry blossom tunnels in all of Japan. Tomioka 2016.
Visiting one of the residents of Tomioka, who decided to stay in the contaminated area and look after the abandoned animals there. Currently, most of the Tomioka area has been reopened. Tomioka 2015.
We had a very interesting conversation with Mr Naoto Matsumura, and we talked about what it is like in Chernobyl today. We met with Mr Matsumura many times during our visits to Fukushima. Tomioka 2015.
Meeting with a monk caring for an abandoned temple in Tomioka. 2016.
Cleaning works in front of one of the houses in Namie. The city is carrying out systematic decontamination works and the first residents are returning to the city. Namie 2018.