Fukushima today: animals take over while people rebuild

Fukushima, Japan, is going through a big change. Years ago, a huge earthquake and tsunami caused a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. Many people had to leave their homes because of radiation. The area was dangerous, and entire towns were left empty.

Now, things are different—but not in the way many expected. While people slowly return, animals have moved in and made the land their own.

Wildlife moves into empty towns

Without people around, animals started to explore new places. Wild boars, monkeys, raccoons, and even rare animals like the Japanese serow now walk through quiet villages, gardens, and playgrounds. Some even sleep in abandoned houses and schools.

James Beasley, a researcher from the University of Georgia, studies these animals. He and his team use cameras and GPS trackers to learn how wildlife lives in this changed landscape. They have seen big increases in animal populations.

These animals are not just staying in the forests and hills anymore. They now move freely between cities and mountains. Some, like wild boars, are even seen during the day, which is unusual for them.

Please also read: Should we worry about Chernobyl wolves?

People come back—and face new problems

Parts of Fukushima are safe again. The government has removed radioactive soil, cleaned up buildings, and opened many towns. Still, many homes are empty. Those who return now face a new problem: wild animals.

Farmers try to grow vegetables but must protect their gardens from hungry boars and monkeys. Some people set traps near houses and schools to keep animals away. These animals are no longer afraid of towns—they have lived there for years without humans.

Beasley says that before the accident, animals would be hunted or chased away from farmland. Now, they live comfortably in areas people once controlled.

Is radiation harming the animals?

Scientists are still learning how radiation affects animals in the area. So far, there are no clear signs of sickness. But researchers are careful. They are studying how much radiation animals are exposed to by tracking their movements and radiation levels with special GPS collars.

In Fukushima and in Chernobyl (another nuclear disaster site), animals seem to gather in the most contaminated areas—possibly because people are not there.

Cleaning up Fukushima

The damaged nuclear power plant is being cleaned up. This is a very slow and complex job. The full cleanup, called “decommissioning,” is expected to finish by 2051.

Workers are removing used nuclear fuel and melted fuel debris from the reactors. They use robots and special tools, because the radiation is still too strong for humans. One method being tested is called the “partial submersion method,” where water is used to block radiation during cleanup.

What happens to the radioactive soil?

Millions of cubic meters of radioactive soil have been removed from the land. Most of it has low radiation and will be recycled for use in roads or public works. The rest is stored at a special facility, where it will stay until it can be moved outside of Fukushima by 2045.

What about the contaminated water?

Water used to cool the reactors is treated to remove radioactive materials. One type of radioactive element, called tritium, cannot be removed. The treated water is stored in tanks, but now Japan is slowly releasing it into the ocean. The release is monitored by international experts, who say it is safe and follows global standards.

A new future for Fukushima

Fukushima is rebuilding in smart and creative ways. The government wants to turn the area into a place for science, clean energy, and farming. New projects focus on:

• Robots and drones
• Nuclear safety
• Environmental research
• Modern farming

Fukushima is no longer just a disaster zone. It is becoming a place of learning, growth, and nature. Animals and people are learning to live side by side in a land that is slowly healing and changing.