Demolition work delay hinders Fukushima villagers' homecoming
FUKUSHIMA -- Though the nuclear disaster evacuation order for the Fukushima Prefecture village of Katsurao is set to be lifted on June 12, just 14 percent of demolition work needed before homes can be rebuilt has been completed.
The village currently comprises three evacuation statuses: "areas preparing for the lifting of evacuation orders" with annual accumulated radiation doses of 20 millisieverts or less; "restricted residency zones" with annual accumulated radiation doses from over 20 millisieverts to 50 millisieverts; and "difficult-to-return zones." As of June 12, the 1,347 residents from 418 households in the former two categories will be allowed to move back home. A return schedule for the 119 residents from 33 households with homes in areas in the last category has yet to be determined as radiation levels remain high.
A survey by the village government showed that nearly 50 percent of residents wished to return home. However, as of June 8 only 126 people, or less than 10 percent of residents, had registered to stay overnight in preparation for their complete return.
The Environment Ministry began demolishing houses in 2012 for those who wanted to rebuild their homes in 11 Fukushima Prefecture municipalities subject to nuclear disaster evacuation orders. Of 347 demolition requests in Katsurao, only 14 percent have been completed. Officials say that field research and paperwork are taking time. Overall, a little less than 40 percent of requested work has been done in all 11 municipalities.
Eight municipalities -- including Katsurao and the city of Minamisoma, where evacuation orders are to be lifted on July 12 -- are requesting the central government to speed up demolition work as the delay is hindering residents' return to their hometowns. A senior Katsurao village official says locals have been complaining about the demolition work not advancing as planned.
http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20160611/p2a/00m/0na/016000c
