THE DAYS (2023)
A harrowing Japanese limited series reconstructing the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, streaming exclusively on Netflix.
THE DAYS - Series Information
- Original Title: THE DAYS
- First Air Year: 2023
- Last Air Year: 2023
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 8
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: June 1, 2023 (United States - TV-14), June 1, 2023 (Canada - 14+), June 1, 2023 (United Kingdom - 15), June 1, 2023 (Germany - 16), June 1, 2023 (France - 16), June 1, 2023 (India - U/A 16+), June 1, 2023 (New Zealand - 16), June 1, 2023 (Australia - MA 15+), June 1, 2023 (Brazil - 16), June 1, 2023 (Spain - 16), June 1, 2023 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: Netflix
- Production Companies: Lyonesse Pictures, Warner Bros. Japan, image
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: THE DAYS：2023 (JP), The Days (NL), В те дни (RU), วันวิบัติ (TH)
THE DAYS - Plot
Blamed by some, hailed as heroes by others, those involved with Fukushima Daiichi face a deadly, invisible threat — an unprecedented nuclear disaster.
THE DAYS - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and witness the tension at the heart of the Fukushima crisis:
What happened there on that day?
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THE DAYS - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Koji Yakusho
- Yutaka Takenouchi
- Fumiyo Kohinata
- Kaoru Kobayashi
- Takuma Otoo
- Ken Mitsuishi
- Kenichi Endo
- Yuriko Ishida
- Yuki Izumisawa
- Tomomi Maruyama
Writers
- Jun Masumoto
Executive Producers
- Hiroyuki Ikeda
- Shinichi Takahashi
THE DAYS - FAQs
Is THE DAYS based on a true story?
THE DAYS is directly inspired by the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, one of the worst nuclear accidents in history. The series draws from firsthand accounts and documented records of the catastrophe triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, portraying the harrowing decisions made by plant workers in real time.
Who plays Masao Yoshida in THE DAYS?
Veteran Japanese actor Koji Yakusho portrays Masao Yoshida, the Fukushima Daiichi plant manager who became a central figure in the disaster response. Yakusho, celebrated for his work in films like Shall We Dance? and Babel, delivers a commanding performance as the man who defied orders to keep cooling water flowing to the reactors.
Where can you stream THE DAYS?
THE DAYS is available to stream exclusively on Netflix, including on the Netflix Standard with Ads plan. The series launched globally on June 1, 2023, and all 8 episodes of the limited series are available to watch at once.
Is THE DAYS worth watching?
For viewers drawn to tense, fact-based disaster drama, THE DAYS is absolutely compelling. Critics praised its unflinching reconstruction of the Fukushima crisis and Koji Yakusho's towering lead performance. Often compared to HBO's Chernobyl, it offers a sobering, deeply human look at institutional failure and individual heroism under unimaginable pressure.
How does THE DAYS compare to Chernobyl?
Both series dramatize catastrophic nuclear disasters with meticulous attention to procedural detail and human cost. Where Chernobyl focuses on Soviet secrecy and political cover-up, THE DAYS zeroes in on the frantic, hour-by-hour decisions of plant workers fighting to prevent total meltdown — making it a gripping companion piece to the acclaimed HBO miniseries.
What is THE DAYS about?
THE DAYS reconstructs the chaotic days following the March 2011 tsunami that crippled the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. The series follows plant manager Masao Yoshida and his team as they battle reactor meltdowns, bureaucratic obstruction, and radiation exposure, exploring how ordinary workers became the last line of defense against an invisible catastrophe.
Did THE DAYS win any awards?
THE DAYS received recognition at the 2023 International Emmy Awards, where Koji Yakusho was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor. The series also earned broader critical acclaim for its production design and writing, cementing its place among the most significant Japanese drama productions of recent years.
What shows are similar to THE DAYS?
If THE DAYS resonated with you, Chernobyl (2019) is the most natural next watch — another masterclass in nuclear disaster drama. Japan Sinks: 2020 and Tokyo Vice offer further Japanese crisis storytelling, while Silo and Station Eleven explore societal collapse from different angles. All share THE DAYS' focus on survival under systemic pressure.
More About THE DAYS
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