The 후쿠시마 사고, or Fukushima disaster, occurred on March 11, 2011, when a massive earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. This natural disaster caused a failure at the 후쿠시마 제1 원자력 발전소, leading to the release of radioactive materials into the environment. The incident resulted in the evacuation of thousands of residents and raised global concerns about nuclear safety. The Japanese government and TEPCO, the plant's operator, faced criticism for their response and preparedness. Cleanup and decommissioning efforts continue, with ongoing monitoring of radiation levels in the surrounding areas.