Aftermath: The emptiness of a disaster
A 9.0-magnitude earthquake and massive tsunami in 2011 forced residents around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to flee, leaving behind household belongings and pets. Neary a year later, the effects of the disaster can still be seen in the deserted area.
Tsunami-devastated ships and debris are seen on Jan. 28, 2012 inside the exclusion zone of a 20-kilometre radius around the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima prefecture, Japan.
Cows that escaped from a farm wander in the exclusion zone around the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.Reuters
An empty shopping street is seen in Namie town, inside the exclusion zone around the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Cars and a ship destroyed by a tsunami are seen inside the exclusion zone. A 9.0-magnitude earthquake and massive tsunami on March 11, 2011, triggered the world's worst nuclear accident in 25 years.
A dog, which was rescued by United Kennel Club Japan (UKC Japan) from inside the exclusion zone, is seen inside a cage at the group's pet shelter in Samukawa town, Kanagawa prefecture.
A resident, wearing a protective suit, makes a brief visit to the home in which he was evacuated from in Namie town.
Dolls of the "Seven Gods of Good Fortune" are seen inside a house that was damaged by an earthquake in Namie town.
A cat that was rescued by United Kennel Club Japan (UKC Japan) from Okuma town inside the exclusion zone is seen inside a cage at the group's pet shelter. Dogs and cats that were abandoned after last year's nuclear crisis have had to survive high radiation and a lack of food, and they are now struggling with the region's freezing winter weather.