evacuate in 2011 when the deadly earthquake and tsunami hit and triggered a meltdown at fukushima's daiichie she grew up in. [ speaking japanese ] ♪ >> reporter: this is an area still rebuilding. measuring radiation levels are a constant reminder, and ito is in the minority in terms of residents who have decided to come back. eight years on from the disaster, and the devastation is still all too obvious here in tomioko. until two years ago, this was all part of the no -- go zone because of rediation. residents have been allowed back as of april of 2017, but as you can see, many have chosen not to return. do you have any concern living here with the radiation? [ speaking japanese ] >> reporter: authorities insist the area is now safe and much of the redevelopment that has taken place can be looked at through the prism of the national football center known as the j village and the journey that it's been through. [ speaking japanese ] >> and the world cup for japan! >> reporter: it was only four months after the disaster struck that the japan women's team won the football world cup for the fir