the Fukushima 50

[Plane]

On 14 March 2011, as the Fukushima nuclear plant went up in flames, 750 workers were evacuated. But 50 stayed behind to try to prevent the station from going into total meltdown. As the hours ticked by, they were joined by other employees of the Tokyo Electric Power Co from across the country, as well as firefighters, engineers and soldiers. The group referred to as the Fukushima 50 actually encompasses hundreds of workers, who tried to stop a disaster growing even larger. They did so, despite the deaths of two colleagues, despite the injuries to more than 20 others, and despite the very real risk of radiation poisoning. In any other country, they would have been heroes. In Japan, however, there have been no awards, no interviews, no publicity. Indeed, it took 18 months for the government even to extend official thanks. For their bravery and civic duty, the Fukushima 50 have been rewarded with something close to ostracism.http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/02/fukushima-50