Have you ever heard of the 「福島５０」 (“Fukushima 50“)?
After the explosion at the nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan that was caused by the tsunami on 2011 March 11, all of the plant workers were evacuated…except fifty.
These fifty brave men stayed behind, despite the extreme risk to their lives, to try to bring the nuclear plant back under control.
Due to the health risk of prolonged expose to the radiation, a few hundred more volunteers came back to the plant so that they could work to repair the plant in shifts in groups of fifty men each.
The "Fukushima 50" working to bring the plant back online.
I saw an interview on TV with the teenage daughter of one of the Fukushima 50. She said that her father said after the accident at the plant that his experience was needed there and he knew he had to go. She said that she was proud of him for risking his life for the good of the rest of us.
That’s how everyone in Japan feels about all of the Fukushima 50. We are all grateful for their willingness to give the ultimate sacrifice for us.
Here’s an excellent video that someone made and posted on YouTube as a tribute to these modern-day Samurai:
Have you heard about the Fukusima 50 on the news in your country?
Tokyo Five 
Very heart touching. I wish they make it back home safely.
http://rolipolli.wordpress.com/2011/04/11/salute-to-fukushima-fifty/
LikeLike
>I wish they make it back home safely.
I hope so, too.
LikeLike
Yes, we heard quite a bit about the Fukushima 50 here in Hawaii at first, but nothing lately. I’m assuming that they might have been replaced or been relieved. When we talked to our good friend in Tokyo, he hadn’t even heard the term, Fukushima 50. I was surprised to hear that.
LikeLike
>I’m assuming that they might have been replaced or been relieved.
Yes, as I mentioned in this post above, originally there were fifty…but soon-after more men volunteered to help. Now there are a few hundred of them and they worked in shifts of groups of fifty people.
>our good friend in Tokyo, he hadn’t even heard the term, Fukushima 50.
That’s not surprising. That term was coined by an overseas media and is commonly used outside of Japan. I’ve only heard the term “Fukushima 50” used in the TV news here one time…in a report about how well-known their story is in other countries.
Japanese people appreciate these workers and info about them is shown on TV often here…but they don’t have such a nickname in Japan.
LikeLike
Japan is suffering with radiation now which is the worlds biggest issue. All over the World is now watching how Japan will recover from the earthquake and tsunami & terror of nuclear power plants. Now this the situation all of us (World Countries and its leaders) should help Japan as quickly as possible. We all need to generate the power with the other resources like thermal, solar energy so we need to forget to build Nuclear Power Plants. They are very dangerous.
LikeLike
>We all need to generate the power with the other resources like thermal, solar energy
Sounds good…but I wonder if they would provide enough power for a megalopolis like Tokyo.
LikeLike
Very touching, I think they once mentioned the Fukushima 50 on the news before over here. Those men are the true heroes, putting aside their own selfish ways to help the country and restoring what can be restored, ignoring what the risks will do to them.I hope they will recover those that’s been hospitalised. My father had sent some of his letters written in Japanese, hes sort of distraught thinking of them ..i just hope it will reach them.
LikeLike
>My father had sent some of his letters written in Japanese
Did your father send letters in Japanese to the Fukushima 50?
That’s very kind.
LikeLike
I almost forgot to mention in this post that a number of the “Fukushima 50” have already been hospitalized for over-exposure to high levels of radiation.
Hopefully they will be able to recover.
And hopefully the “Fukushima 50” can repair the nuclear plant soon without anyone else getting sick!
LikeLike
This post was so touching, it made me weep!
LikeLike
Thank you.
Have you heard the story of the “Fukushima 50” before? Did they report about them on the news in Hawaii?
These men are real heroes.
LikeLike