Four years ago, Japan was forever changed by a massive earthquake that left over 15,000 dead and thousands more injured or missing. The event triggered a tsunami that caused a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, causing large amounts of radiation to spill out and threaten the lives of the residents of surrounding areas. Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes and are still living in shelters until the government gives them permission to return. But the crisis also left thousands of other victims who were left behind during the evacuation, trapped inside houses or barns without any food or water. That's where farmer Naoto Matsumura comes in.
Naoto returned to his small town of Tomioka to take care of the animals on his farm that had to be left behind during the rush to get out of town when the meltdown happened. Now, he takes care of all the animals in the town. From the pictures, you can tell he gives them all the same love and attention that this aging dog received from his loving owner. I don't know how one man can take care of so many animals by himself, but I think he's perfectly content helping those that he loves. And you can tell they adore him, too; animals always seem to recognize and appreciate those that help them, just like this giraffe who gave the sweetest goodbye to his dying caretaker.
This man is a shining example of love and dedication. I don't know about you, but I wish everyone in the world could share his sense of responsibility and kindness!
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Naoto originally left Tomioka with the rest of his family, but returned when he decided that he couldn't leave all his farm animals behind.
Once he returned, he also started taking care of the neighbor's dogs. And soon enough, he was taking care of virtually all the animals in his small town.
Initially, the middle-aged man was concerned about the high levels of radiation. But then, doctors told him that if he got sick, it would be in 30 or 40 years. So he stopped worrying and focused on enjoying his life.
Still, Naoto is constantly exposed to 17 times the radiation that normal people receive. He now drinks decontaminated spring water, and his food comes from outside relief sources.
Despite being the only human resident in town, Naoto lives a happy, fairly normal life with all his furry and feathered companions.
While most people would shy away from his kind of lifestyle, he's perfectly happy as long as all of his animals are content.
So far, neither he nor the animals have seemed to directly be affected by the high levels of radiation, though that could obviously change as the years pass.
Tomioka's former residents are hoping that they'll be able to return home in a few years, when the levels of radiation finally die down.
Until then, this brave man and all the animals he cares for will be just fine.
Thank goodness for Naoto. It's people like him who will make the world a better place, one step at a time.
Source: Vice
