Okuma sets up own compensation fund

December 3, 2013

Fukushima town to add supplementary compensation

      http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20131203_19.html

A town near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has decided to supplement compensation from the plant operator with additional payments for some residents.

All the residents of Okuma evacuated from the town following the nuclear accident. In December of last year, the town was divided into 3 zones according to radiation levels.

The plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, is planning to compensate people for household appliances and furniture they have had to abandon.

But the central government, which determines the standard for compensation, has set different amounts for each zone.

For example, a family with parents and 2 children in the zone where it is most difficult to return would receive about 67,000 dollars. But a similar family in the 2 other zones would receive some 50,000 dollars.

Okuma town officials say the disparity could divide the community and weigh down its rebuilding efforts. They have decided to set up their own town fund to make up the difference.

The town plans to implement the plan before the end of the fiscal year in March. Okuma will be the first municipality to offer supplementary compensation for the nuclear accident.