Fukushima's Futaba to lift part of evacuation order in December

In short

Futaba town in Fukushima Prefecture plans to lift evacuation orders in December for part of the “specified return residence zone”, Nippon TV News reported, the first time a lifting period has been indicated for such a zone. Two of the town's three administrative districts in the zone will have their orders lifted because radiation doses have fallen sufficiently; the third is targeted for lifting within the fiscal year because infrastructure work is behind schedule. The zone lies inside the difficult-to-return area around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, where decontamination is carried out for residents who want to return.

Why it matters

The move would be the first lifting of an evacuation order in a specified return residence zone, a category created so that residents who wish to go back can do so while the wider difficult-to-return area stays restricted. It signals that decontamination and infrastructure work in parts of Futaba have reached the level the town considers sufficient for residents to return. The documents do not say how many residents are affected or what services will be in place.

Key facts

• Futaba town plans to lift evacuation orders in December for two of three administrative districts in the specified return residence zone. [ 1 , 2 ]
• The specified return residence zone lies inside the difficult-to-return zone declared after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. [ 1 , 2 ]
• Decontamination in the zone is carried out so that residents who want to return can do so. [ 1 , 2 ]
• The two districts were selected because radiation doses there have fallen sufficiently, according to the town. [ 2 ]
• The remaining district is targeted for lifting within the fiscal year because infrastructure work is behind schedule. [ 2 ]
• It is the first time a timing for lifting an evacuation order in a specified return residence zone has been indicated. [ 2 ]
• NHK reported the town is making arrangements to lift part of the evacuation order in December. [ 1 ]

What local media are saying

Timeline, local time

1. 09:11NHK reports Futaba town is arranging to lift part of the evacuation order in the specified return residence zone in December. [ 1 ]
2. 15:00Nippon TV News reports the town's policy to lift orders for two of three administrative districts in December, the first time a timing has been indicated for such a zone. [ 2 ]
3. DecemberEvacuation orders for the two districts are planned to be lifted; the third district is targeted within the fiscal year. [ 2 ]