As nuclear reactors went into meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant following the March 11, 2011 tsunami, catastrophe loomed and thousands fled.

One of the few that stayed at his post was Atsufumi Yoshizawa, part of a largely anonymous corps of workers, lauded as the 'Fukushima 50.'

In a rare interview he recalled what made him stay behind.

(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) GENERAL MANAGER OF NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE DEPARTMENT,TOKYO ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY (TEPCO), 54-YEAR-OLD ATSUFUMI YOSHIZAWA, SAYING:

"We had a strong sense of duty -- we knew if we didn't stay, there wouldn't have been anyone else who could've sorted it out."

Most of the workers at the plant that day left their posts behind amid one of the worst radiation leaks in history.

But those who stayed behind fought a frantic battle to cool the reactors.

But two years on, Fukushima Daiichi and the area around it still resembles a vast wasteland, with high radiation levels hampering a cleanu