Literature: Tales from Nagasaki

During this period he also returned to Urakami and tackled the problem of residual radiation. He had no instruments but when he discovered live ants and then earthworms he was convinced the autumn rains had washed most of the fall-out away. The rumors that all life would be impossible for 70 years were wrong. Like the ants, back to work! Helped by some friends he built a small hut by leaning charred beams against the stone retaining wall of his home, and roofing it with pieces of heat-buckled tin. … Many heeded Nagai’s call to rebuild the suburb and they put up huts around his. The remnant of the university staff set about planning a new university and Nagai joined in energetically.

(ch. 24, “Not from Chance our Comfort Springs,” p.185)