How to watch ‘Fukushima: Days that Shocked the World’ online — stream powerful nuclear doc from anywhere

Fukushima: Days that Shocked the World 2026 nuclear disaster documentary — (Image credit: Channel 4 / Brite Spark Films)

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The documentary "Fukushima: Days That Shook the World" arrives on February 17 amid renewed global interest in nuclear safety. It's a powerful minute-by-minute account of the Tsunami that triggered a nuclear disaster 10-year clean up. You can watch it for free in the UK...

Below is how to watch "Fukushima: Days that Shocked the World" for free from anywhere with a VPN.

‘Fukushima: Days that Shocked the World’ release date and time

"Fukushima: Days that Shocked the World" airs from Tuesday, February 17 in the U.K. and February 27 in Australia.
• WATCH FREE — Channel 4 (UK) (17 Feb)
• Australia — SBS (27 Feb)
• Watch Channel 4 abroad — try NordVPN (free Amazon gift card)

The series has been released to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the 11 March 2011 disaster. It serves as a definitive chronicle of the Tōhoku earthquake and the subsequent 15-metre tsunami that triggered the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl.

Since the success of the 2019 Chernobyl miniseries, there has been a growing appetite for detailed, “minute-by-minute” accounts of nuclear crises. This documentary offers a factual counterpart to that style, zooming in on the harrowing 72-hour period when Japan stood on the brink of “irreversible devastation”.

The series also includes leaked conversations between TEPCO headquarters and plant workers, revealing the scale of panic and deception at the height of the crisis.

Below, I’ve broken down where you can stream it, what time it airs in the UK, what we know about other regions, and how a VPN can help if you’re traveling and temporarily blocked from your usual services.

Watch ‘Fukushima: Days that Shocked the World’ in the U.K.

British flag — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Watch ‘Fukushima’ documentary from anywhere

If you’re traveling and find your usual streaming app is blocked, a VPN can help by giving your device an IP address from back home. That way, you can continue accessing the same services you already use. Tom’s Guide has tested many options, and NordVPN stands out as a strong all-around choice for speed, reliability, and broad device support.

Watch "Fukushima: Days the Shocked the World" online for free with NordVPN. Discount and free Amazon gift card offer below (limited time only!)

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favourite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're in the U.S. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.

3. Sit back and watch. Open your streaming service and watch "Fukushima: Days the Shocked the World" online as normal.

Watch ‘Fukushima: Days that Shooked the World’ in Australia

Australian flag — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

In Australia, you can stream "Fukushima: Days That Shook the World" for free on SBS On Demand at 9:30 a.m. AEDT on February 27.

It’s also expected to air on the main SBS channel, with exact broadcast times varying by state, so it’s worth checking the SBS TV Guide if you’d prefer to watch live.

Visiting Australia from the U.K.? You can watch watch your Channel 4 account in Australia using a good VPN (P.S. Free VPNs don't work very well for streaming so it's worth getting a good one – we always use NordVPN and never lets us down).

Watch ‘Fukushima: Days That Shook the World’ in the U.S.

Right now, there’s no confirmed U.S. streaming home for the Fukushima documentary series. An American platform could still pick it up later in 2026, but it’s unlikely to arrive at the same time as the UK and Australian releases.

If you’d like something to watch in the meantime, Netflix’s "The Days" is a separate, scripted dramatization of the disaster. PBS Frontline’s "Inside Japan’s Nuclear Meltdown" is another strong documentary option and is often available to stream via PBS.

If you’re a U.K. viewer travelling in the U.S., you can still watch as usual by using a VPN like NordVPN to connect to a UK server, then streaming via the Channel 4 website or app with your free account.

Watch ‘Fukushima: Days That Shook the World’ in Canada

Canadian flag — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

In Canada, the series is expected to stream on Radio-Canada, most likely on ICI TOU.TV and possibly on the ICI Télé channel. An English-language broadcaster hasn’t been confirmed yet, so availability may depend on whether you’re watching in French or English.

If you’re a UK viewer traveling in Canada, you can still watch as usual by using a VPN like NordVPN, selecting a UK server, and streaming Channel 4 with your existing login.

'Fukushima: Days That Shook the World' — episode guide

Broadcasters may package the documentary differently — sometimes as a two-part special, sometimes as a single feature-length cut. The overall narrative still follows the same arc, tracing the escalation of the disaster and its immediate aftermath.

We've also

Part 1 focuses on the initial earthquake and tsunami, and the cascading failures that followed at the plant.
Part 2 follows the frantic hours after the loss of power, including desperate venting efforts and emergency cooling attempts.
Part 3 zooms out to explore the wider consequences: mass evacuations, long-term fallout, and the daunting, decades-long decommissioning process.

'Fukushima: Days That Shook the World' — FAQs

Is this a drama or a documentary?

It’s a factual documentary series produced by BriteSpark Films, who previously made "Tsunami: The Day the Wave Hit" for Channel 4. Instead of actors or reenactments, it relies on real archival footage and firsthand testimonies from people who lived through the events.

Who is features in the series?

The 2026 Fukushima documentary’s “cast” comprises real-life figures such as plant manager Masao Yoshida and former Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who appear in archival footage and interviews rather than through dramatic reenactments.

Does it cover the entire disaster?

The series centres on the first 72 hours of the 2011 crisis, offering a minute-by-minute look at the decisions made as the reactors began to fail.

What makes it different from other Fukushima TV shows?

Unlike the scripted series "The Days", which focuses on dramatized character arcs, "Days That Shook the World" prioritizes technical accuracy and newly released evidence, including leaked communications between the plant and TEPCO headquarters.

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Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Caroline is a freelance writer and product tester, previously working in roles such as smart home editor across various titles at Future, including Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, and TechRadar. As a technology and lifestyle expert, Caroline specializes in smart home tech, appliances, and more. She currently operates out of her cozy Suffolk apartment and is more dedicated than ever to helping people find the best products for their own homes.

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