The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Workers
Ages: N/A
Occupations: Employees at Japan's crippled nuclear power plant
Previous TIME 100 appearances: 0
Since a 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the east coast of Japan on March 11, the world has lauded Japanese citizens for their stalwart demeanor in the face of an unprecedented triptych of deadly disasters. But few have inspired more respect than the workers at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. As the plant's cooling systems started to fail and radiation levels began to rise, these employees continued to work to repair the plant, at grave personal risk. Three weeks later, hundreds are still there, braving high radiation levels and living in spartan conditions. All who have read about their selfless commitment have asked themselves the same question: Would I do it? The answer most of us arrive at is why these workers will be remembered for generations.