Fukushima’s Faceless 50

The Takeaway

The nuclear crisis has escalated in Japan. There have been partial meltdowns in three nuclear reactors, breaches in the protective containment walls of two of them, and a fire in another. U.S. warships have changed course because of the dangers of rising radiation, and the Japanese Army decided it was too dangerous to fly helicopters over the plants. But 50 workers remain at the heart of the plant, literally risking their lives to avert a catastrophe at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Keith Bradsher is The New York Times Hong Kong bureau chief. He says that we don’t know much about these heroic workers.

Do you support journalism that strengthens our democracy?

At The World, we believe strongly that human-centered journalism is at the heart of an informed public and a strong democracy. We see democracy and journalism as two sides of the same coin. If you care about one, it is imperative to care about the other.

Every day, our nonprofit newsroom seeks to inform and empower listeners and hold the powerful accountable. Neither would be possible without the support of listeners like you. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!