Draft reconstruction plan for Iitate

February 3, 2014

Iitate village panel draws up reconstruction plan

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140203_14.html 

A panel set up by Iitate Village near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant has released a draft reconstruction plan. High radiation levels in the village are still preventing residents from returning, nearly 3 years after the accident.

The panel, made up of villagers and experts, unveiled the draft last week. It calls for setting up a 26-hectare area to serve as the base for reconstruction. It aims to start building in the area as early as fiscal 2015.

The area would include public housing for elderly people who have difficulty living alone and facilities to revive local industries and create jobs.

It would also feature a major solar power plant as a symbol of a village that is energy self-reliant.

The panel is also calling on village officials to consider allowing most residents to return as early as March 2016. This is later than the initial target date of the spring of 2015, due to major delays in decontamination work.

The panel members say they will continue discussing the draft plan and submit it to the local assembly next month.

Iitate Village Mayor Norio Kanno praised the draft, saying he thinks it is important to set up an area where people can see the village coming back to life.

He says his village needs to clear many obstacles before implementing the plan, but that he will work hard while listening to what the assembly and residents have to say.

Feb. 3, 2014 - Updated 03:21 UTC