In March 2011 Japan was struck by a disastrous earthquake which caused huge tsunamis. Over twentythousand people lost their lifes, many are still missing. The tidal waves caused severe damage to the nuclear power plant Fukushima Dai-Ichi. Nuclear meltdown in three reactors was the result, leading to heavy radioactive contamination of the surrounding land and sea. Cities, villages and farms within a radius of 30 kilometers were evacuated. Until now.
The Okawara family lives only af few kilometers off the evacuation zone. Greenpeace Japan proved that their fields did not suffer the massive fallout as other regions. As organic farmers they heavily depend on the trust of their customers. They check every harvest on radioactive contamination. It is always far below the legal limit of radiation or even non-existent. Nonetheless sales dropped dramatically. Adequate compensations by TEPCO, the infamous company which runs the nuclear power plant, are difficult to receive. But Tatsuko and Shin Okawara keep on farming, founded a centre called "esperi" (esperanto for "hope") and try to encourage their neighbours and themselves to keep going. Their charisma and strength is astonishing.
This project was photographed in summer 2012 and winter 2013 with support by a grant o Stiftung Kulturwerk VG Bildkunst.