Gov't changing line about Kawauchi

July 14, 2014

Govt. delays lifting evacuation order

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140714_26.html

The Japanese government has put off plans to lift the evacuation order for a village near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, after strong opposition from residents who say the area is still not safe.

Government officials planned to lift the order that's in place for part of Kawauchi Village on July 26th, and at a meeting on Sunday they tried to convince residents that they could safely return home.

The officials explained that decontamination work has brought radiation levels in residential areas below a government-set threshold of 20 millisieverts per year, making the environment safe for habitation.
But residents argued that roads and commercial facilities have yet to be restored. They also said a village committee has not made its judgment on radiation levels yet.
After the meeting, Reconstruction Agency official Takashi Kumagai said they will postpone lifting the evacuation order and decide on an appropriate time to end it after further consultations with the village.

An 81-year-old male resident who attended the meeting said the order should be lifted only after the safety of both farming land and residential properties can be guaranteed.

Another man said he is not ready to return yet because he thinks radiation levels are still high.

But some residents want the order to be lifted as soon as possible. An 85-year old woman said she wants to return to her home to be close to her ancestors.

Another man in his 80s said he wants to go home because he doesn't like living in cramped temporary housing.

Jul. 14, 2014 - Updated 08:03 UTC