Decontamination work has been completed for the first time in an area in the 11 municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture where the central government is responsible for removing radioactive materials in a step toward the lifting of an evacuation order.
Decontamination work has been completed for the first time in an area in the 11 municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture where the central government is responsible for removing radioactive materials in a step toward the lifting of an evacuation order.
In a June 23 meeting with residents, officials of the Cabinet Office and the Environment Ministry said radioactive materials released from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant have been successfully removed in the eastern part of Tamura's Miyakoji district and that 380 former residents will be able to return to their homes as early as mid-August.
The government plans to determine when to lift the evacuation order after consulting with city officials and residents.
The eastern Miyakoji district lies within a 20-kilometer radius of the Fukushima No. 1 plant, which suffered a triple meltdown following the March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.
The government concluded that infrastructure, such as roads, electricity and water, and services such as medical care have almost been fully recovered in the district.
The government has been conducting decontamination work in a 3.42-million-square-meter area in the district since July.
According to the Environment Ministry, average airborne radiation levels in a 230,000-square-meter residential area have fallen 24 to 56 percent to 0.32 to 0.54 microsievert per hour.
The figures are still above the government’s long-term goal of 1 millisievert per year, or 0.23 microsievert per hour.
But a Cabinet Office official said the radiation levels do not pose a health risk.
During the June 23 meeting, some residents called for additional decontamination work.
The Environment Ministry said it will decide whether to conduct additional work based on radiation levels to be measured in autumn.
In April 2012, the eastern Miyakoji district was designated as a “zone preparing for the evacuation order to be lifted,” where former residents were expected to be able to return at a relatively early date.
The former residents have already been allowed to stay in their homes for several days during long holidays around the end of the year and on other occasions.
The district will be the first where former residents will be allowed to stay in their homes at any time.
The government plans to allow such stays in other zones preparing for the evacuation order to be lifted, as soon as decontamination is completed.