Very few people would risk their health to take care of animals after a nuclear meltdown, but that is exactly what farmer Naoto Matsumura has been doing for the past four years. Ever since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, Matsumura has been living in Tomioka, a small town is a few miles from the nuclear power plant, where he tends to the animals left behind.
Photo credit: Naoto Matsumura / Facebook
He initially left the town with his family after it was evacuated, but he returned soon after to feed the dogs. He found many of the villager’s pets starving and tethered in their yards, because people had left them behind, believing they would be home soon. Of course, that did not happen.
Photo credit: Naoto Matsumura / Facebook
Instead, Matsumura soon became the sole provider for not only dogs but cats, cows, ostriches and the other animals left behind.
Photo credit: Naoto Matsumura / Facebook
Over the years, he has relied on donations (including donations of water) to care for his animal charges. Although he is subject to high amounts of radiation daily, he “refuses to worry about it.”
Photo credit: Naoto Matsumura / Facebook
The 55-year-old said, “They also told me that I wouldn’t get sick for 30 or 40 years. I’ll most likely be dead by then anyway, so I couldn’t care less”. He does, however, take the precaution of only eating food imported into the zone.
Photo credit: Naoto Matsumura / Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ganbaru.fukushima
In the video interview with Vice a few years ago, Matsumura explains why he became the animals’ steward and refused to abandon them.
His efforts have earned him the title of “Guardian of Fukushima’s Animals”. What a remarkable and courageous man!
Photo credit: Naoto Matsumura / Facebook
You can follow Matsumura’s efforts on Facebook and his blog here.
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