Fukushima
A tsunami hits the Japanese nuclear plant. The disaster told in a seven-part drama. As the energy company and politicians in Tokyo lose control, the reactors become unstable and a “suicide squad” of older workers is sent inside. This drama follows the heroes who fight to contain the disaster and those whose mistakes led Japan to catastrophe. Years later, some seek atonement.
Fukushima Cast: Suto: Togo Igawa Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones Yoshida: Eiji Mahara Saito: Sadao Ueda Ito: Matt McCooey Shimada: Akira Koieyama Narrator: Romola Garai Reporter: Kevin Shen Reporter: Naoko Mori Worker: Nino Furuhata Written by Adrian Penketh Sound design is by Peter Ringrose Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service.
Episodes
New drama coming
Stay right here for more original new drama from the BBC World Service. Purple Heart Warriors is coming soon. It’s a time-travelling drama about the Japanese American soldiers who became legends of US military history. Inspired by real events, it’s the little-known story of the 442nd regiment, decorated for their bravery fighting the Nazi German army in World War Two. Narrated by Will Sharpe and written by Oscar-nominated Iris Yamashita, it is told in six-parts. You’ll hear the trailer very soon. Make sure you follow or subscribe, so you never miss an episode. And if you want to keep listening to Fukushima, which tells the story of when a tsunami hit the Japanese nuclear plant, it will still be available here too.
19/11/24•1m 20s
Bonus: U.Me The Complete Musical
The story of two young strangers who meet online and fall in love during the Covid lockdowns. A musical narrated by Stephen Fry and performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, for the BBC World Service. For all episodes, search for U.Me the Complete Musical, wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
07/03/24•20m 45s
Fukushima: 7. Atonement
Former energy company executive Suto, was supposed to ensure that accidents like this couldn’t happen. Ten years later, he searches for atonement. A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast:
Suto: Togo Igawa
Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones
Tutor: Kevin Shen
Guard: Matt McCooey
Sanae: Naoko MoriFukushima is written by Adrian Penketh
Sound design is by Peter Ringrose
Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko
Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service
25/06/23•27m 33s
Fukushima: 6. Legacy
Years after the disaster, one of the “suicide squad” questions his heroism in a town of ghosts. A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast:
Suto: Togo Igawa
Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones
Ito: Matt McCooey
Keiko: Naoko MoriFukushima is written by Adrian Penketh
Sound design is by Peter Ringrose
Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko
Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service
18/06/23•28m 19s
Fukushima: 5. Invisible enemy
“We are at war….” Politicians seize control. And then a breakthrough; can the disaster be contained? A drama about the events of March 2011.Cast:
Suto: Togo Igawa
Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones
Yoshida: Eiji Mihara
Prime minister: Kevin Shen
Hosono: Sadao Ueda
Mayor: Akira Koieyama
Aide: Nino Furuhata
Narrator: Romola GaraiFukushima is written by Adrian Penketh
Sound design is by Peter Ringrose
Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko
Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World ServiceAudio for this episode was updated on 4 October 2023.
11/06/23•28m 15s
Fukushima: 4. Evacuation
The reactors are unstable. A “suicide squad” of older workers is sent inside and young staff are evacuated. Pressure levels are dangerously high, raising the chances of another explosion. A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast:
Suto: Togo Igawa
Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones
Yoshida: Eiji Mihara
Prime Minister: Kevin Shen
Saito: Sadao Ueda
Shimada: Akira Koieyama
Ito: Matt McCooey
Narrator: Romola GaraiFukushima is written by Adrian Penketh
Sound design is by Peter Ringrose
Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko
Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World ServiceAudio for this episode was updated on 4 October 2023.
04/06/23•27m 52s
Fukushima: 3. Explosion
A massive explosion rocks the stricken power plant. Can the reactors be cooled? The nuclear plant manager has an unorthodox plan to prevent further disaster. A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast:
Suto: Togo Igawa
Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones
Yoshida: Eiji Mihara
Prime minister: Kevin Shen
Saito: Sadao Ueda
Matsui: Akira Koieyama
Kojima: Matt McCooey
Kaneko: Nino Furuhata
Narrator: Romola GaraiFukushima is written by Adrian Penketh
Sound design is by Peter Ringrose
Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko
Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World Service
28/05/23•28m 9s
Fukushima: 2. Emergency
Japan battles to maintain control in the face of nuclear disaster. Can catastrophe be averted? A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast:
Suto: Togo Igawa
Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones
Yoshida: Eiji Mihara
Saito: Sadao Ueda
Ito: Matt McCooey
Shimada: Akira Koieyama
Narrator: Romola Garai
Reporter: Kevin Shen
Reporter: Naoko Mori
Worker: Nino FuruhataFukushima is written by Adrian Penketh
Sound design is by Peter Ringrose
Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko
Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World ServiceAudio for this episode was updated on 4 October 2023.
21/05/23•28m 9s
Fukushima: 1. Tsunami
Japan’s nuclear plant is hit as an immense wave surges past defences and floods reactors. It’s a desperate fight to contain a disaster. A drama about the events of March 2011. Cast:
Suto: Togo Igawa
Akiko: Ami Okumura Jones
Yoshida: Eiji Mihara
Saito: Sadao Ueda
Ito: Matt McCooey
Shimada: Akira Koieyama
Narrator: Romola Garai
Reporter: Kevin Shen
Reporter: Naoko Mori
Worker: Nino FuruhataFukushima is written by Adrian Penketh
Sound design is by Peter Ringrose
Produced by Toby Swift and Sasha Yevtushenko
Commissioned by Simon Pitts for BBC World ServiceAudio for this episode was updated on 4 October 2023.
14/05/23•27m 31s
Introducing Fukushima
A drama about losing control in Japan’s nuclear emergency. The heroes who fight to contain the disaster and those whose mistakes lead Japan to catastrophe. Years later, some seek atonement. This seven-part drama from the BBC World Service is released weekly from 15 May 2023.
03/05/23•2m 52s
