Evacuees Mr and Ms Kobayahi

Mr and Ms Kobayahi lived along the 399 road in Iitate district before the nuclear meltdown. They had just installed solar panels on their roof when the disaster happened, and had little chance to use them before the area became contaminated and they were forced to move to Fukushima City. On 11 March they planted a cherry tree to celebrate their grandson’s first birthday, and while they still return to check their house and garden at weekends, this tree now carries a different meaning for them.