The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster occurred due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent tsunami, causing critical failures in cooling systems across three active reactors. Following the earthquake on March 11, 2011, the plant lost external power due to the collapse of transmission towers and the inundation of emergency diesel generators, which led to a loss of cooling capabilities and resulted in meltdowns in reactors 1-3. The article also notes that despite being operational at the time, reactor 2 did not experience a hydrogen explosion, unlike the other reactors which did, reflecting the complexity of the disaster’s sequence of events.

The aftermath of the disaster saw significant releases of radiation, with hydrogen explosions causing severe structural damage to the reactor buildings. Investigations have classified these failures as 'man-made' due to the inadequate safety measures that could not counteract the natural disasters. The article aims to clarify these historical events and what lessons can be learned, reminding readers of the events surrounding the accident, which have left a long-standing impact on Japan and the world.

In the context of the 15th anniversary of the crisis, attempts to dismantle the plant and manage residual contamination are ongoing, raising questions about future nuclear policy in Japan. The piece serves as a timely reminder of the lessons from Fukushima not only for Japan but also for global energy policies concerning nuclear power, safety protocols, and disaster preparedness.