Fukushima: 15 years after the nuclear accident, there are still ‘indirect deaths’

Today's headlines: Canberra grants visas to five Iranian soccer players who have sought political asylum;The fuel crisis caused by the war in the Middle East revives smart working in Vietnam. In Afghanistan, at least 610,000 children treated by UNICEF for severe malnutrition in 2025; Agreement between Delhi and Jakarta for the supply of the BrahMos missile system; The latest expedition to search for the remains of Malaysia Airlines flight MH 370 has ended without success.

JAPAN - SOUTH KOREA

Fifteen years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster on March 11, 2011, the total number of indirect victims linked to the tsunami and subsequent nuclear power plant accident has reached 3,180 and continues to rise. These deaths are linked to the long-term evacuation of the area's inhabitants, who have been subjected to severe psychological and physical stress, while the government's goal of achieving ‘zero’ indirect deaths is still a long way off. Meanwhile, Japan has produced a tourism video to promote the region where the accident took place, which is being shown on large advertising screens in Seoul. The 30-second clip was produced by the Japan Reconstruction Agency and features famous sites in the area with a caption that reads: ‘Now is the time to visit Fukushima after 15 years of recovery’.

IRAN - AUSTRALIA

The Canberra government has agreed to provide visas to five players from the Iranian women's soccer team to remain in the country after they sought asylum fearing persecution in their home country. The announcement came after US President Donald Trump said he had spoken with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the Islamic Republic's women's soccer team. The White House tenant also spoke on the phone for an hour with Russian leader Vladimir Putin about Iran and Ukraine, then said the war could “end soon.” Meanwhile, in Tehran, supporters of the regime took to the streets to show loyalty to the new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

VIETNAM

The war in the Middle East is reviving smart working. The Ministry of Commerce in Hanoi is calling on local businesses to encourage their employees to work from home as part of efforts to save fuel, amid supply disruptions and price increases triggered by the war in Iran. Vietnam is among the countries most affected by fuel disruptions since the start of the conflict.

INDIA - INDONESIA

Jakarta has signed an agreement with Delhi for the supply of the BrahMos missile system, reviving the bilateral partnership in a strategic sector. This was reported by the spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, as part of the plan to “modernize military hardware and defense capabilities, especially in the maritime sector.” In 2023, the company jointly owned by the Indian and Russian governments had begun negotiations for an agreement worth between 0 million and 0 million.

AFGHANISTAN

UNICEF says it treated 610,000 severely malnourished children in Afghanistan in 2025, a country where millions of people remain at risk of food insecurity due to poverty, drought, and economic collapse, out of a total of 11.8 million children examined. According to UN agency reports, more than three million children in Afghanistan are currently suffering from malnutrition.

MALAYSIA

The latest search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared on March 8, 2014, with 239 people on board, has ended without any results, in one of the greatest mysteries in aviation. This was announced by the Ministry of Transport in Kuala Lumpur, according to which the latest search, which began in December, combed through an area of approximately 15,000 km2 to no avail.

RUSSIA - GEORGIA - GULF

In the context of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the energy transport crisis, Georgia's role is becoming even more important, especially for Russia. In January, Tbilisi exported million worth of petroleum products, 3,300% more than the previous year, thanks to the opening of the new Kulevi refinery, whose owners are closely linked to Moscow, which supplies oil with ‘shadow ships’.

KAZAKHSTAN

President Kasym-Žomart Tokaev has entrusted the Security Council with the task of strengthening control over the country's most important strategic infrastructure. This was announced by spokesman Ajbek Smadjarov, who said that ‘all central and regional structures’ will be involved in protecting vital centers and transport, energy and municipal facilities, including airports and river and sea ports, in coordination with the security services.

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