Japanese Government to Abolish Evacuation Zone for Fukushima II (not I) by Year-End

The area within the 8-kilometer radius from Fukushima II (Daini) Nuclear Power Plant has been designated as "evacuation" zone following March 11 earthquake/tsunami and the residents have been evacuated. The Japanese government has decided to abolish that zone by the year-end, paving the way for the residents of Okuma-machi, Naraha-machi, Tomioka-machi, and Hirono-machi to return.

Never mind that Okuma, Naraha, Tomioka also happen to fall within the 20 kilometer-radius "no entry" zone for Fukushima I (Daiichi) Nuclear Power Plant.

From Fukushima Minyu, a local newspaper in Fukushima (12/14/2011):

経済産業省原子力安全・保安院は１３日、東京電力福島第２原発から８キロ圏内の広野、楢葉、富岡、大熊４町に措置している避難指示を解除する方針を関係市町村に伝えた。

The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry told the municipalities within the 8-kilometer radius "evacuation" zone around Fukushima II (Daini) Nuclear Power Plant on December 13 that the evacuation order would be lifted shortly.

　関係者によると、政府は年内に福島第１原発から２０キロ圏内の警戒区域と計画的避難区域見直しの考え方を示すとみられる。ただ、警戒区域は、福島第２原発の避難指示区域と重なっていることから、警戒区域の見直しに先行して第２原発の避難指示を解除することで、見直しに向けた環境を整える考えとみられる。

According to the people involved, the national government is to indicate its thinking about how to redesign the "no-entry" zone within the 20-kilometer radius from Fukushima I Nuke Plant and the "planned evacuation" zone [between 20 and 30-kilometer radius] before the year-end. The "no-entry" zone for Fukushima I includes the evacuation zone for Fukushima II. By lifting the evacuation order for Fukushima II first, the government may be trying to create a favorable environment in which to revise the "no entry" zone for Fukushima I.

　警戒区域などの見直しについて政府は、福島第１原発事故収束の工程表ステップ２の完了を受けて実施する方針。年間の積算放射線量に応じて５０ミリシーベルト以上を「長期帰還困難」、２０～５０ミリシーベルト未満を「居住制限」、２０ミリシーベルト未満を「解除準備」の３区域に再編する方向で関係自治体と調整しているもようで、見直しの考え方について年内に明らかにする見通し。

Revision of the evacuation zones is to be carried out by the national government on the completion of the "step 2" of the roadmap to recovery of the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant. The plan seems to be that the no-entry zone will be reorganized into three different zones depending on the cumulative [external] radiation exposure levels per year. If the annual cumulative radiation exposure is to be 50 millisieverts and above, the areas will be designated as "difficult to return for a long time"; the areas between 20 and 50 millisieverts as "restricted residence", and the areas below 20 millisieverts as "preparing for return". The national government is said to have been discussing with the municipalities affected, and to disclose its thinking before the year-end.

To be more precise, in practical terms, on the "declaration" of the completion of the step 2, whether the so-called "step 2" has been achieved or not. As long as you declare.

According to Yomiuri Shinbun (12/15/2011) on the subject, a NISA official told the mayor of Tomioka-machi the reason for lifting the evacuation order as Fukushima II fully prepared for disaster with "external power source secured and emergency generators equipped".

The mayor of Naraha-machi has been itching to restart Fukushima II Nuclear Power Plant and get "genpatsu (nuke plant)" money flowing again. He may get his wish soon.

When the national government talks about "radiation" in these areas, it is talking about external radiation only, and at 1 meter off the ground. The latest survey result (12/13/2011) by the Ministry of Education and Science is here.

Tweet