Minamisoma City: Evacuation order lifted in July

May 13, 2016

Evacuation orders for Minamisoma City to be lifted

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20160513_11/

NHK has learned that the Japanese government plans to lift evacuation orders for Minamisoma City, near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, in July.

Sources say the government is set to convey its decision to the city assembly on Friday.

The city's southern and western regions are still subject to evacuation orders, affecting about 11,700 people. The figure is the largest among municipalities around the plant where evacuation orders have been or will be lifted.

The government says decontamination work is complete in residential areas and that the regions' environment is ready for residents to return.

The government hopes to lift the orders before a traditional summer festival in the Soma district in late July that features samurai on horseback.

The government plans to set a firm date after hearing the opinions of residents at an explanatory meeting that begins on Sunday.

In the wake of the 2011 nuclear accident, evacuation orders were issued at one time for 11 municipalities in the prefecture.

The order for Naraha Town, which had been totally evacuated, was lifted last September. The orders for Katsurao Town and Kawauchi Village will be lifted next month.