Masked artist forces Japan to think about Fukushima and radiation

Known as 281 Antinuke, Japan’s version of Banksy, has covered Tokyo streets in images depicting politicians as vampires and children being shielded from radioactive rain to highlight the consequences of a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant after an earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011.

“Perhaps because everyone believes people telling them on television that everything is fine, they don’t seem so worried,” 281 Antinuke told Reuters

“I hope by leaving my art I can remind people that we’re not safe at all ... and that they will do something to protect themselves.”

“The nuclear accident allowed us to realize that Japan had hidden a lot of things,” he said. “I want to make images that express doubts about what’s going on in politics - like a label that says ‘This is happening, pay attention’.”