NO REPORTER NARRATION

(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 58-YEAR-OLD ANIMAL SANCTUARY OWNER, KEIGO SAKAMOTO, SAYING:

"After the disaster they hauled in huge concrete blocks to shut off this road."

"They could have stopped a tank."

"I couldn't get water or food for me and the animals."

"It felt like they were telling us to just go and die."

"Atom!"

"Snowy!"

"You're all wet. You must be hungry."

"It's cat food time."

"For months after the disaster they couldn't get anything to eat, so they'll eat anything these days."

"Even cat food."

On March 11, 2011 a tsunami wrecked the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. An exclusion zone was created nearby, and 150,000 people fled their homes.

But Keigo Sakamoto remained, continuing to run his animal sanctuary. For more than two years he and his 500 animals have relied on charity to survive.

Keigo Sakamoto and his 500 animals.

(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 58-YEAR-OLD ANIMAL SANCTU