Separate guidelines for evacuation zones

December 23, 2014

Nuclear regulator panel discusses evacuation

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/nuclear.html

Dec. 23, 2014 - Updated 01:06 UTC+1

A panel of experts at Japan's nuclear regulator has discussed evacuation plans for people around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, in the event of another accident that could disperse radioactive materials.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority is preparing for emergencies that could be set off by another accident at the Fukushima plant during its decommissioning process.

Japan's current safety guidelines for areas surrounding nuclear plants across the country were updated after the Fukushima accident. The guidelines also apply to the area near the Fukushima Daiichi plant as temporary measures.

Evacuation orders are still in effect in a wide area surrounding the Fukushima plant, so the expert panel is considering creating separate guidelines for evacuation zones.

At the meeting on Monday, experts agreed that the current guidelines can be applied to an area within a radius of roughly 30 kilometers from the plant. But they said they will listen to opinions from local governments when they make safety measures for residents beyond the 30-kilometer zone.

The experts effectively approved an evacuation plan which proposes residents inside the 30-kilometer zone be ordered to remain indoors. The plan also proposes that people who temporarily enter the zone within a 30-kilometer radius be ordered to quickly leave. Some experts pointed out it is necessary to consider how to notify them in the event of an emergency.