9:30pm Wednesday, October 5 on TV One
Real Life: Megaquake – The Hour That Shook Japan pieces together the events and human stories of March 11, 2011 – as Japan was brought to its knees by the third most powerful earthquake of all time, and the devastating tsunami which followed it.
Using living first-hand testimony and unseen footage from the people who lived through the most catastrophic of natural disasters, Megaquake – The Hour That Shook Japan tells the eyewitness stories of what it was like to live through the terror.
Shot on the ground in northern Japan, and featuring previously unseen archival footage, Megaquake – The Hour That Shook Japan presents the experience close-up with remarkable personal stories.
Contributions from the world’s top seismic and nuclear scientists also reveal how, and why, the earthquake and deadly wave hit. And where the next megaquake may be waiting…
Featured interviews include the first firefighter to gain access to the interior of the Fukushima nuclear plant – recalling the moment he went in, and the fear and desperation among those inside. And first-hand testimony from a young air traffic controller at Sendai Airport, who recounts how he struggled to deflect 747s from the danger zone.
As well, the first ever filming inside the Japan Meteorological Agency – Japan Earthquake Central Operations Room – and the staff who were on duty on March 11 when the emergency strategy was co-ordinated. Plus, actuality of the subsequent tsunami alarm there as it happened.