Tour Japan's Fukushima Nuclear Zone With Google Street View

 By 
Alex Fitzpatrick
 on 
Tour Japan's Fukushima Nuclear Zone With Google Street View

Two years after the devastating nuclear meltdown at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi power plant, it's now possible to explore one of the country's radiation-soaked towns via Google Street View.

Google's Street View cars were invited to photograph the town of Namie, Japan by its mayor, Tamotsu Baba. Baba, along with the town's 21,000 residents, has been relocated across the country and is unable to return home due to the still-present risk of radiation poisoning.

Google's photographs, shot earlier this month, reveal a ghastly, abandoned town still partially damaged by the earthquake and tsunami that sparked the Fukushima disaster.

Mashable Image
Credit:
Mashable Image
Credit:
Mashable Image
Credit:

Baba introduced the new Street View photographs in a Google Japan blog post, explaining he invited Google to map the town so its displaced residents and others around the world can see the town's condition.

You can tour Naime for yourself via Google Maps. What do you make of the Steet View photographs? Share your thoughts in the comments.

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!