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Small Area Open Near Fukushima Small Area Open Near Fukushima
(5 months later)
TOKYO — Japan reopened a small part of the 12-mile evacuation zone around the destroyed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant on Tuesday, allowing residents to return to live in their homes for the first time since the accident three years ago. TOKYO — Japan reopened a small part of the 12-mile evacuation zone around the destroyed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant on Tuesday, allowing residents to return to live in their homes for the first time since the accident three years ago.
Officials said the lifting of the evacuation order would allow 357 residents to reoccupy their homes in a small part of Tamura, which lies southwest of the plant, an area that received relatively little radioactive fallout from the March 2011 triple meltdown.Officials said the lifting of the evacuation order would allow 357 residents to reoccupy their homes in a small part of Tamura, which lies southwest of the plant, an area that received relatively little radioactive fallout from the March 2011 triple meltdown.
About 83,000 residents were evacuated from their homes in a 12-mile radius around the plant and in a larger area to the northwest that fell under a radioactive plume created by the accident.About 83,000 residents were evacuated from their homes in a 12-mile radius around the plant and in a larger area to the northwest that fell under a radioactive plume created by the accident.
While daytime visits to the zone are now permitted, most of the evacuees must still live in temporary housing, or in new homes scattered across Japan.While daytime visits to the zone are now permitted, most of the evacuees must still live in temporary housing, or in new homes scattered across Japan.
However, it is unclear how many of Tamura’s residents will now go back. Earlier surveys of evacuees found that fewer than half wanted to return because of fears of radiation and the mishap-plagued cleanup at the nearby nuclear plant.However, it is unclear how many of Tamura’s residents will now go back. Earlier surveys of evacuees found that fewer than half wanted to return because of fears of radiation and the mishap-plagued cleanup at the nearby nuclear plant.
Such concerns are highest among younger residents and families with children, raising the possibility that only low numbers of mostly older residents will return.Such concerns are highest among younger residents and families with children, raising the possibility that only low numbers of mostly older residents will return.
That it took three years to reopen even Tamura’s small, relatively uncontaminated area underscores just how long residents of other, more heavily contaminated communities are likely to wait before they can return.That it took three years to reopen even Tamura’s small, relatively uncontaminated area underscores just how long residents of other, more heavily contaminated communities are likely to wait before they can return.
Some experts say the most highly radioactive areas to the northwest of the plant may be unlivable for generations.Some experts say the most highly radioactive areas to the northwest of the plant may be unlivable for generations.