Compensation for returnees increased

December 19, 2013

Compensation to be raised for returning Fukushima evacuees

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201312190046

By YURI OIWA/ Staff Writer

The government is planning to raise its level of compensation to evacuees from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant accident if they return home soon after evacuation orders are lifted, sources said Dec. 18.

The plan was included in guidelines compiled ahead of the lifting of evacuation orders planned for next spring and later.

The guidelines will be officially adopted on Dec. 20 by the government’s headquarters to deal with the nuclear accident. After that, they will be approved by the Cabinet.

According to the guidelines, the increased compensation is being offered because early returnees will face a variety of troubles in their daily lives. The government is also planning to provide returnees with dosimeters so they can regularly check their exposure to radiation. The plan stipulates that returnees can safely be exposed to 1 millisievert or less of radiation annually above what exists in the natural environment.

The guidelines also say the government will offer additional compensation to returnees if they decide to rebuild their homes.

The plan also stipulates that compensation to evacuees for mental suffering will be abolished a year after the evacuation orders are lifted.

In areas where the evacuation orders will be lifted, the government will accelerate decontamination work simultaneously with the reconstruction of infrastructure.

With regard to evacuees who will be unable to return for a prolonged period, the government will also provide compensation to those who will buy homes elsewhere.

It will also study mid- and long-term assessments for areas where residents cannot return.

In a supplementary budget for the current fiscal year, which ends in March 2014, the government introduced new grants for municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture to accelerate recovery. The municipalities can use the grants flexibly, depending on their circumstances. The government will maintain the grants for next fiscal year.