Economist Podcasts Nuclear inaction: the legacy of Fukushima
Mar 11, 2021
Noah Snyder, Tokyo bureau chief for The Economist, shares gripping insights into the ongoing challenges following the Fukushima disaster, highlighting struggles with recovery and the complex emotions of affected communities. Tom Wainwright, Media editor for The Economist, reflects on Rupert Murdoch's legacy as he turns 90, discussing the future of his media empire amid family dynamics and scandals. The conversation also briefly touches on Eugene Sandow, the first fitness influencer, illustrating the evolving intersection of media and societal health anxieties.
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Destruction in Japan
- The 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan killed 20,000 people and moved debris far inland.
- Cars were found lodged in trees, and the remains of buildings were scattered across rice fields.
Psychological Impact
- The 2011 tsunami had a profound impact on the Japanese psyche.
- It evoked images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, reminding a generation of past devastation.
Fukushima Crisis
- The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant crisis followed the earthquake and tsunami.
- Backup generators flooded, causing three reactors to melt down and spread radiation.