Fukushima nuclear disaster forces more than 150,000 people to flee and turns towns into ghost towns, but one man goes back to save animals: Meet Naoto Matsumura |
After the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in March 2011, more than 150,000 people were forced from their homes and once-bustling towns turned into eerie ghost towns almost overnight. Many families fled with only the essentials, believing they would return soon, but many never did. In the rush to escape the radiation, thousands of pets and farm animals have been left behind with little hope of survival. As the days passed and the months passed, they wandered the empty streets and abandoned farms, looking for food and a master. In the midst of the disaster, one resident made an extraordinary decision: he returned to the exclusion zone to care for the forgotten animals.
who is Naoto Matsumura people who returned after the Fukushima nuclear accident nuclear disaster?
Naoto Matsumura is a resident of Tomioka town, which is located in the evacuation zone surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Like thousands of others, he initially left after the government ordered residents to evacuate. However, he soon realized that his own animals, along with thousands of others, had been abandoned. Unable to ignore their pain, Matsumura returned to the penalty area. What started as a mission to care for his own pets quickly turned into a lifelong commitment to helping every animal he could find.
What happened during the Fukushima nuclear disaster?
On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurred off the northeastern coast of Japan, triggering a massive tsunami. Waves exceeding 14 meters swamped the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, paralyzing its cooling system and causing meltdowns at three reactors. The hydrogen explosion released radioactive material into the surrounding environment, triggering one of the largest evacuations in Japanese history. More than 150,000 residents were ordered to leave their homes and a 20-kilometer exclusion zone was set up around the damaged factory.
Thousands of animals abandoned
Emergency evacuations prioritize human life, leaving little time to rescue pets or transport livestock. Many dogs and cats are trapped in homes, while cows, horses, pigs and chickens are left in abandoned farms without food and water. Some owners believed they would be allowed back within days, but the long-term exclusion means many animals are left to fend for themselves. Later investigations revealed that many of the animals died from starvation or dehydration, while others roamed the abandoned town in search of food and their missing owners.
Daily tasks in restricted areas
Matsumura dedicated his life to feeding and caring for the surviving animals. Every day, he carries bags of animal feed, water and supplies through the deserted streets. He cared for abandoned dogs, stray cats, cows, horses, pigs and even ostriches from nearby farms. Some of the frightened animals gradually learned to trust him, while others simply remained close after receiving food and care. Despite limited power, scarce resources, and the ongoing challenges of living in a restricted area, he continues to work without any expectation of recognition.
Is it safe to live in a restricted area?
Living in an exclusion zone does carry risks, as radiation levels were significantly higher than normal in many places following the accident. Matsumura undergoes regular health monitoring to measure his radiation exposure. Although his cumulative dose was higher than that of the general public, medical experts report that it was still much lower than many people thought, in part because he spent most of his time outdoors rather than in heavily polluted buildings. Matsumura often said he accepted the risks because he believed the animals had no one else to help them.
Support is coming
In the early days, Matsumura relied largely on his own determination and limited supplies. As his story spread through newspapers, documentaries and social media, volunteers, veterinarians and animal welfare groups began to support his efforts. Donations of animal feed, medicine, protective equipment and food allowed him to continue caring for hundreds of animals over the next few years. His outstanding contributions earned him international acclaim and the nickname “Fukushima Animal Guardian”.
The legacy of Fukushima’s guardians
Although many evacuation orders have been lifted and some residents have returned, recovery continues more than a decade after the Fukushima disaster. Matsumura’s actions have become a symbol of compassion during one of the world’s worst nuclear accidents. His story has also sparked discussion about including pets and livestock in disaster evacuation plans so that animals are not left behind in future emergencies. In a land rife with loss and destruction, his unwavering devotion reminds us that kindness endures even in the darkest moments.
