FRONTLINE

Inside Japan's Nuclear Meltdown

In the desperate hours and days after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the fate of thousands of Japanese citizens fell into the hands of a small corps of engineers, firemen and soldiers who risked their lives to prevent the Daiichi nuclear complex from complete meltdown. This is their story, with rare footage from inside the plant and eyewitness testimony from the people on the frontlines.

Inside Japan's Nuclear Meltdown

54m 40s

In the desperate hours and days after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the fate of thousands of Japanese citizens fell into the hands of a small corps of engineers, firemen and soldiers who risked their lives to prevent the Daiichi nuclear complex from complete meltdown. This is their story, with rare footage from inside the plant and eyewitness testimony from the people on the frontlines.

Previews + Extras

  • "The Fate of Japan Hangs in the Balance": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    "The Fate of Japan Hangs in the Balance"

    S2012 E4 - 3m 27s

    When things got particularly dangerous at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant last March, controversy ensued about whether the Tokyo Electric Power Company intended to withdraw all its workers, leaving the plant unmanned. Former Prime Minister Naoto Kan describes his decision to address TEPCO employees, demanding that they stay and protect the fate plant - and the country.

  • "We did it. We did it for everyone.": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    "We did it. We did it for everyone."

    S2012 E4 - 2m 54s

    Japanese helicopter pilot Yoshiyuki Yamaoka describes dumping thousands of gallons of water on the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, a dangerous mission he embarked on last March.

  • Inside Japan's Nuclear Meltdown - Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Inside Japan's Nuclear Meltdown - Preview

    S2012 E4 - 31s

    FRONTLINE continues its investigation of nuclear safety with an unprecedented account of the crisis inside the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear complex after a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck Japan on March 11, 2011. In "Inside Japan's Nuclear Meltdown," FRONTLINE tells the full story with exclusive eye-witness accounts from the people who were there.

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