Fukushima Documentary Exposes 2011 Nuclear Disaster and Corporate Secrecy
A powerful new documentary film directed by British filmmaker James Jones and Japanese co-director Megumi Inman delivers a devastating account of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear catastrophe. The film meticulously retells the terrifying story of Japan's nuclear accident triggered by a cataclysmic tsunami, which resulted in 20,000 deaths and displaced 164,000 people from the affected area, many with no prospect of returning home.
The Catastrophe Unfolds
The earthquake severely damaged the cooling systems designed to prevent meltdowns, leading to three near-apocalyptic explosions that brought Japan perilously close to a national catastrophe threatening its very existence. Remarkably, the ultimate disaster was averted not by sophisticated technology but by the heroic efforts of a committed fire brigade that sprayed thousands of tons of water on exposed fuel rods.
The documentary plunges viewers into the unfolding disaster moment-by-moment, featuring interviews with key figures from that time. Most prominently, the film highlights nuclear plant employee Ikuo Izawa, a shift supervisor who became the de facto leader of the legendary "Fukushima 50" (actually 69 individuals) who demonstrated extraordinary courage by remaining in the nightmarish reactor complex when everyone else had been evacuated.
Corporate Failures and Secrecy
While the film captures the immediate drama of events through disturbing archive footage of the tsunami spreading across Japanese fields and farmland, it also raises critical questions about corporate responsibility. The documentary examines the role of Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), the plant's corporate owner, which had previously closed a nuclear facility in 2007 following an earthquake, resulting in profit losses.
Perhaps most troubling is the revelation that Tepco had received reports indicating the Fukushima plant's vulnerability to earthquakes but took no preventive action. The film features Martin Fackler, the New York Times's Tokyo bureau chief, who provides a crisp account of official chaos and bungling during the crisis. Fackler discusses the industry's adherence to what he calls the "safety myth"—an article of faith that discourages questioning existing safety provisions and can damage careers of those who raise concerns.
Historical Context and Ongoing Questions
The documentary explores how Japan's unique historical trauma with nuclear issues, dating back to 1945, made the Fukushima disaster particularly devastating. The film hints at suspicions among some Japanese citizens about international assistance offers, drawing parallels with post-war occupation dynamics.
Comparisons with the Chornobyl disaster reveal even greater stakes—while Chornobyl involved a single reactor, Fukushima had six reactors ready to explode. Despite Japan's modern democracy, the film suggests transparency has been limited, with Tepco still not releasing a complete history of what went wrong and what discussions occurred during the crisis.
Broader Implications for Nuclear Energy
The documentary leaves larger questions open for consideration. While fossil fuels contribute to climate change through gradual environmental damage, nuclear power presents the risk of instant calamity despite not directly causing climate change. The film prompts viewers to consider whether improved safety measures represent the solution, as the nuclear industry claims, or whether renewable energy alternatives might better fill the gap.
This gripping documentary serves as both a tribute to human courage and a sobering examination of corporate accountability, raising urgent questions about nuclear safety that remain relevant today. The film is scheduled for release in the UK and US beginning February 20th.
