A special economic zone will be set up in Fukushima Prefecture to promote the development of robots that the central government hopes will speed the return of residents to the region, heavily impacted by the nuclear crisis.
A special economic zone will be set up in Fukushima Prefecture to promote the development of robots that the central government hopes will speed the return of residents to the region, heavily impacted by the nuclear crisis.
Wataru Takeshita, state minister in charge of reconstruction, made the announcement on Feb. 1 during a meeting of officials from the central government and the prefecture to discuss the recovery from the Fukushima nuclear disaster, which was triggered by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.
According to Takeshita, the latest plan to establish a robot development base in the prefecture will be included in the draft revision of the Law on Special Measures for Fukushima Reconstruction and Revitalization. The amendment bill is expected to be introduced during the current Diet session.
Under the plan, robot-related companies and research institutions that will expand to the special zone can purchase land at a lower cost and be eligible for subsidies and tax breaks. All types of robotic development will be eligible for the incentives.
The Fukushima Innovation Coast plan, approved by the Abe Cabinet last year, stipulated that the central government would establish a development center for robots designed to help in the decommissioning of the crippled reactors at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
But concerns were raised by local officials and residents that the planned economic zone focusing on decommissioning would not lead to more residents returning to Fukushima Prefecture, so the Abe administration has changed course.
On Feb. 1, Takeshita also said the central government will include in the draft revision measures to ease the anxiety of residents about the effects of radiation on their health and to remove wild boars that are damaging vacant homes.
“It is estimated that it will take 30 to 40 years to decommission the reactors at the Fukushima plant,” Takeshita said at a news conference. “The state has to show how to revitalize the prefecture after the 10-year post-quake reconstruction period.”