The doctor, 47-year-old Takashi Sasaki, gave the patient an intravenous drip, which prevented the man from lapsing into a critical condition. Had this procedure been delayed, the man might have died.

Takashi Sasaki, a resident of Rikuzentakata, lost several family members and his livelihood in the twin disaster that ravaged his hometown on March 11. Despite the trauma, the 35-year-old is ...