Abandoned Japanese exclusion zone is home to many cars left to die
- The Fukushima exclusion zone is full of abandoned JDM cars
- But they can’t be moved because of safety fears
- Here are the models left there to turn to fossilize
Published on Jul 02, 2024 at 9:03 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Jul 03, 2024 at 11:34 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
The Fukushima exclusion zone is full of abandoned JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars – and they can’t be moved.
An urban explorer found tons of rare cars over a dozen years after the nuclear disaster caused by a tsunami.
Radiation levels there are still too high to remain for more than several hours – and the cars are too radioactive to move.
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What happened to the vehicles?
Over 13 years ago, in 2011, a tsunami led to a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan.
Most of the evacuated area has since been cleared, remaining part of the exclusion zone.
And it’s since become a morbid tourist attraction like the guys behind Exploring the Unbeaten Path.
The channel’s host, Bob, ventured into the exclusion zone to check out some of the rare vehicles.
If you’re into mysterious abandoned cars, check out this ‘traffic jam forest’ filled with hundreds of abandoned cars buried in a long line.
Why have the cars been abandoned?
The abandoned Japanese-market cars will rot in place or be crushed due to safety fears.
There’s a Toyota Crown Comfort, to a Suzuki Jimny, and a Mitsubishi Evo 7.
A R32 Skyline, Z33 Nissan 300ZX, S15 Nissan Silvia, and MK4 Toyota Supra.
What’s more a Mazda P600 Carol, AW11 Toyota MR2, Honda S2000, Subaru WRX STI, and Subaru Forester STI.
That’s in addition to a myriad of Kei trucks and vans.
While they’d bring some cash at auction, for safety reasons they need to be left to their unfortunate fate.
The cars may be radioactive due to the exposure.
Japan customs require a vehicle gives off less than 0.3 microsieverts of radiation before being exported.
That level is exceeded by at least one car in the video.
One van sold domestically in 2011 was found to be emitting around 110 microsieverts per hour.
What’s more, exposing metals to radiation results in ‘radiation hardening’.
This makes the material hard, brittle, and prone to cracks, surface changes, and malformations over time.
Worried about nuclear disasters? Rolls-Royce is building the next $13 billion nuclear-proof ‘doomsday plane’.
But nuclear isn’t all bad news with this impressive supersonic nuclear-powered plane that could fly from London to New York in less time than a soccer game.
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London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.
