Designation of Areas under Evacuation Orders
Based on Article 15, paragraph (2) of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness, a Declaration of a Nuclear Emergency Situation was issued at 19:03 on March 11, 2011. The Chief Cabinet Secretary announced the issuance of the declaration during the press conference at around 19:45 on the day. At 18:25 on the following day, evacuation orders were issued for the 20-km zone of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)'s Fukushima Daiichi NPS.
As there were areas within the 20-km zone where annual cumulative doses would be highly likely to exceed 20 mSv after the accident, such areas were designated as Deliberate Evacuation Areas, taking into account the standard limits for radiological protection in emergency exposure situations. Considering future risks due to the accident, areas within 20 km from the NPS were designated as Restricted Areas and access was prohibited in principle, while areas within 20 km to 30 km were designated as Evacuation-Prepared Areas in Case of Emergency.
On June 5 onward, spots where decontamination work would not be easy and annual cumulative doses would be highly likely to exceed 20 mSv were designated as specific spots recommended for evacuation, based on the results of the environmental monitoring by the national government and Fukushima Prefecture.
On December 16, the reactors reached a state of cold shutdown and it was confirmed that the release of radioactive materials was under control. Accordingly, on December 26, the designation of Restricted Areas was removed and it was proposed to review Areas under Evacuation Orders and to newly designate Areas where Returning is Difficult, Habitation Restricted Areas and Preparation Areas for Lift of Evacuation Order. Upon reviewing Areas under Evacuation Orders, four problems common to all subjected areas were cited as problems to be addressed: (i) need to ensure safety and security of residents; (ii) need for decontamination and due consideration to children's radiation exposure; (iii) reconstruction of infrastructure and job creation; and (iv) compensation.
As indispensable requirements for lifting evaluation orders, the following were set: (i) it is certain that annual cumulative doses will become 20 mSv or lower after removal of the designation; (ii) infrastructure and living-related services necessary for daily lives have been almost restored and decontamination work has progressed sufficiently centered on children's living environments; and (iii) consultations have been held sufficiently among relevant local governments and residents.
- Included in this reference material on February 28, 2018