Japan: Fukushima worker devotes life to abandoned pets after nuclear disaster

Toru Akama, 63, is a former plant worker who has helped over a thousand animals after the 2011 earthquake-triggered catastrophe.

“Japan: Fukushima worker devotes life to abandoned pets after nuclear disaster Toru Akama, 63, has helped over a thousand animals, starting with dozens of dogs left behind after the 2011 earthquake-triggered catastrophe Not far from the Fukushima nuclear disaster site, former plant worker Toru Akama tends to dozens of pets abandoned after the catastrophe 15 years ago, work he sees as part of his quest for redemption”

South China Morning Post

Not far from the Fukushima nuclear disaster site, he tends dozens of pets that were abandoned when their owners fled the triple disaster of March 11, 2011: earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident.

South China Morning Post

He began his work with dozens of dogs left behind and continues to care for animals in what was once an evacuation zone.

Miaows and barks break the silence of the countryside as Akama brings food to the animals, many of them living around his home in northern Japan.

He describes his work as part of a personal quest for redemption for having worked at the plant, saying, "It's because of this plant, where we worked for years, that these animals ended up like this."

South China Morning Post

Akama says they should have been able to go on living their lives as pets, but because of this accident they were abandoned.

“Japan: Fukushima worker devotes life to abandoned pets after nuclear disaster Toru Akama, 63, has helped over a thousand animals, starting with dozens of dogs left behind after the 2011 earthquake-triggered catastrophe Not far from the Fukushima nuclear disaster site, former plant worker Toru Akama tends to dozens of pets abandoned after the catastrophe 15 years ago, work he sees as part of his quest for redemption”

South China Morning Post

He says he felt it was his duty to protect them.

He continues to care for the dozens of pets that remain, often surrounded by cats at his home.