Removal of the Designation of Areas under Evacuation Orders and Development of the Specified Reconstruction and Revitalization Base
At the joint meeting of the Reconstruction Promotion Committee and the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters held on March 7, 2013, it was pointed out that "a certain view should be indicated within the year" regarding the lift of evacuation orders. Accordingly, procedures to be followed for lifting evacuation orders were presented based on the discussions over the Cabinet decision on December 20, 2013, "For Accelerating the Reconstruction of Fukushima from the Nuclear Disaster." In order to ease returning residents' anxiety over health effects of radiation, it was decided to take measures to reduce radiation exposure and eliminate health concerns (risk communication program). These measures include deployment of counselors, development of counselor support centers, ascertaining and management of personal doses, and radiation monitoring.
The revised "For Accelerating the Reconstruction of Fukushima from the Nuclear Disaster" (Cabinet decision on June 12, 2015) presents the policy to lift evacuation orders by March 2017 for all areas except for Areas where Returning is Difficult.
In the meantime, against a backdrop of decreasing radiation doses in Areas where Returning is Difficult and strong wishes of former residents eager to return home, the national government stepped forward to present its policy to develop the Specified Reconstruction and Revitalization Base in August 2016, based on requests of local residents and recommendations of the ruling parties. The development of the Specified Reconstruction and Revitalization Base, which aims to create new communities in tandem with the progress of reconstruction work, is to be carried out in response to the needs and requests of respective local governments, at the expense of the national government without seeking compensation from Tokyo Electric Power Company.
Prepared based on the following material:(i) Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters' "For Accelerating the Reconstruction of Fukushima from the Nuclear Disaster" (December 20, 2013),(ii) revised version of Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters' "For Accelerating the Reconstruction of Fukushima from the Nuclear Disaster" (June 12, 2015) (iii)Reconstruction Agency's "Draft of the Act Partially Amending the Act on Special Measures for Fukushima Reconstruction and Revitalization (Outline)" (February 2017)
- Included in this reference material on February 28, 2018