Govt. To Lift Evacuation Order For Part Of Fukushima 'difficult - To - Return' Zone
The Japanese government has officially decided to lift an evacuation order on June 12 for part of a "difficult-to-return" zone in Fukushima Prefecture that was set up after the 2011 nuclear accident.
Twenty percent of Katsurao Village near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in the northeastern prefecture was designated as a "difficult-to-return" zone due to high radiation levels after the accident.
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and relevant Cabinet ministers met on Friday and decided to lift the order for about 6 percent of the zone in the village.
The government has designated the area as a special zone for reconstruction and revitalization and has prioritized decontamination work and infrastructure projects with the goal of allowing evacuees to return.
This will be the first time that people can return to their homes in what used to be a "difficult-to-return" zone.
Kishida said many former residents of the prefecture have been forced to live away from home. He said the lifting of the evacuation orders for areas still designated as "difficult-to-return" zones is important for the prefecture's full-fledged reconstruction and revitalization.
He added that the government will accelerate efforts to lift the evacuation orders for other special zones for reconstruction, such as those in the towns of Okuma and Futaba. The towns host the crippled plant.
Kishida ordered the relevant ministers to make the utmost efforts to achieve the goal. He also instructed them to work to ensure that all evacuees who wish to return to their hometown can do so.