LEARN FROM CHERNOBYL

When I’m traveling, I find myself thinking about many things. Of course, I imagine fun and exciting experiences. But at the same time, I ask myself…

• Should I focus only on the brilliant things, the prosperity, and what is prepared for tourists?

• Should I admire the photogenic sights without considering the issues and problems the country faces?

• Is it impossible to learn from the incidents we humans have caused and the disasters we’ve experienced?

• Can we truly create a peaceful world?

• And, if…?

VR technology is becoming increasingly popular. When I hear the word “VR,” I immediately expect something fascinating, and my heart races at the thought of the exciting future ahead. There are so many experiences available, like Google Earth VR, Mission: ISS, and Doraemon VR, which transport us to different spatial dimensions. These kinds of technologies are truly captivating.

Recently, The Farm 51 released a VR application that caught attention through various social media channels. It’s called Chernobyl VR Project. As you might expect, it focuses on the catastrophic incident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, one of the most severe environmental disasters in human history. What makes this content unique is that it blends video games with educational and narrative elements, offering a hybrid experience. The developers explained that they created it because they believe VR technology should serve more than just entertainment—it has the potential to address important social issues as well.

More than thirty years have passed since the Chernobyl disaster, yet we still cannot enter the area within a 30-kilometer radius of the nuclear power plant. The school, once filled with children, now lies in ruins, completely silent. Nearly 20 years have passed since the nuclear reactors were shut down, but decontamination efforts are far from complete. Moreover, the issue of how to properly process radioactive waste remains unresolved.

Through this virtual tour, we can explore the areas that are off-limits to the public. What will we feel when we encounter the ghost town of Pripyat? Can we truly grasp the far-reaching impacts of the nuclear power plant—once touted as a source of safe and clean energy—on our planet? We cannot dismiss this issue as something unrelated to us. It is a problem that we, as inhabitants of Earth, must all confront.

I believe that we, as Japanese people, must listen to the message that Ukraine is sending—not only for Fukushima but also for Japan, as a country that has experienced the devastation of atomic bombs.

The Chernobyl VR Project is supported on Oculus, PlayStation VR, HTC Vive, and the mobile Samsung Gear VR. You can purchase it on platforms like the Oculus Store, G2A.com, and Steam, with the price set at USD 14.99. A portion of the sales proceeds is donated to charities that support the victims of the disaster.