After the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster forced more than 160,000 people to evacuate their homes, one resident refused to leave entirely behind.
Sakae Kato, a lifelong resident of Namie, a town inside Fukushima's restricted zone, chose to remain nearby and regularly return to the contaminated area to care for animals that had been abandoned in the chaos of the evacuation.
Many pets were left locked inside homes without food or water, while others wandered the empty streets in search of help.
Over the years, Kato turned his property into a sanctuary for rescued animals. At one point, he was caring for more than 40 cats and a dog, feeding them daily, arranging veterinary treatment, and even burying those that did not survive in his garden.
He has said that the animals became his family after losing his wife to illness.
To support the rescue effort, Kato reportedly spends about $7,000 a month on food, medicine, litter, and veterinary bills, relying largely on donations from supporters who learned about his mission.
Asked why he chose to stay devoted to the animals despite the risks and hardships, Kato offered a simple answer: “I want to make sure I am here to take care of the last one. After that, I can die, whether it be a day or an hour later.”
More than a decade after the Fukushima disaster changed countless lives, Sakae Kato's quiet dedication continues to stand as a remarkable example of compassion toward animals that many feared had been forgotten.