How To Survive

Fukushima Fifty: Unsung Heroes of Japan's Nuclear Crisis

June 15, 2026·28 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

In March 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake and a massive tsunami triggered one of the most complex industrial crises at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. A small group of engineers, operators, and emergency workers, known as the Fukushima 50, stayed behind as the world watched in shock. In this educational documentary episode, we explore the timeline of the events with insights from disaster governance anthropologist Dr. Maxime Polleri. Discover the engineering challenges, critical decisions under pressure, and the long-term impact on Japanese society. Understand the history, science of nuclear containment, and untold stories of the workers who stood as the last line of defense. Thank you to Dr. Maxime Polleri for his anthropological insights. Visit Dr. Maxime Polleri's website. 00:00: Introduction01:44: Chapter 1: The Monster Awakens05:53: Chapter 2: Japan's Chernobyl08:42: Chapter 3: The 1st Explosion13:09: Chapter 4: Under Pressure16:15: Chapter 5: The Fukushima 5017:57: Chapter 6: The Jumpers20:46: Chapter 7: The Pariahs #Fukushima #Fukushima50 #Japan #nuclearcrisis #disastergovernance #MaximePolleri #nuclearcontainment #engineeringchallenges #Japanesesociety See show notes: https://inlet.fm/how-to-survive/episodes/6a2d9ab0e58445ce7e6274e9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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