It’s been three years since the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster swallowed up whole cities and caused one of the worst nuclear power disasters in history. For much of the world the devastating event is a distant memory – except for people in California who, for some reason, to this day think swimming in the ocean is going to give them three eyes or four boobs or something.
But for many living near the crippled Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Plant, like the inmates at a Kagoshima City prison located within the nuclear evacuation zone, the Tohoku earthquake and the persistent effects of the subsequent nuclear disaster altered their lives forever; so says a former inmate who is formally suing TEPCO for emotional distress.
The unnamed complainant says the disaster profoundly affected her life and the lingering radiation in the evacuation zone caused her prolonged emotional grief and worry, especially after her request for a prison transfer to a location outside of the evacuation zone was denied.
The woman says TEPCO owes her 3 million yen (or US$30,000) in damages to make up for the nuclear meltdown deeply affecting her life – even forcing her to cancel plans to have a baby for fear the child would suffer birth defects.
We’re certainly rooting for the woman, who was only imprisoned for three years and is now free, but we’re not holding our breath; seeing as TEPCO was voted the second “Most Evil Corporation” of 2012, they’re probably just as likely to send one of their Yakuza contractors to murder the poor woman.
Source: MSN Sankei News

TEPCO in hot water for use of tasteless hashtag in recent tweet about Fukushima Nuclear Plant
New study shows wildlife thriving in areas evacuated after Fukushima nuclear meltdown【Video】
First worker to die from Fukushima radiation exposure officially recognized by Japan’s government
Foreign workers being hired for Fukushima nuclear power plant decommissioning project
U.S. lifts all agricultural import bans for Fukushima, Tohoku region of Japan
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Saitama is home to the best strawberries in Japan that you’ve probably never even heard of
It’s illegal for yakuza to go to professional baseball games in Japan, Tokyo arrests remind us
We take a cat yoga class at a Japanese rescue cat cafe
Beautiful blue apple jam is taking the Japanese internet’s breath away!
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
7-Eleven Japan’s sakura sweets season is underway right now!
University of Tokyo announces new department with all classes taught in English
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Great East Japan Earthquake: Commemorate eight years and donate with a search on Yahoo! Japan
Moving video commemorates anniversary of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan
Driving up the Miyagi coastline, four years after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami
One man’s mission to record the stories of Tohoku survivors “revisited” by lost loved ones
Women speak out about sexual violence after Great East Japan Earthquake
Tohoku Region Drug Dealers Slow to Anticipate Local Demand
Japanese Americans tell STORIES FROM TOHOKU
Tohoku tsunami survivor’s $12K camera: heart-felt gift or PR stunt?
Return to Fukushima: Decontaminated town reopens to residents, but is anybody living there?