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Residents are temporarily returning to the government-designated evacuation zone near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to collect belongings needed for their new lives elsewhere, despite the radiation risk. An elderly couple living within the zone, meanwhile, said they noticed increased vehicle traffic since the start of April and lights turned on at some homes in the neighborhood. Due to radiation fears after the March 11 quake and tsunami smashed the nuclear power plant, the Japanese government has asked people within 20 kilometers of the nuclear plant to evacuate and those in the 20-30 km ring to stay indoors or "voluntarily leave" the area, where it is getting difficult to live a normal life due to a lack of goods and services. The city of Minamisoma, part of which straddles both zones, is planning to start schools near the outside of these designated areas, as local officials say residents are beginning to return to the 20-30 km ring zone. One of those who
recently made a return trip to the 20-km evacuation zone is a 44-year-old company employee who has been taking shelter in Tochigi Prefecture. "Even if I want to start a new life, I just don't have money and get no support from the authorities," he said. "There was no other option."
The man, from Namie, about 7 kilometers from the plant, said he started the trip by car Tuesday night together with a sister and a cousin, both from Futaba town, next to Namie. Just before entering the evacuation zone Wednesday morning, they wore two layers of raincoats, gloves, masks and shoes covered with plastic bags. After dropping the sister and the cousin in Futaba, 4 km from the plant, he entered Namie. "It was bizarre. So quiet and eerie," he said. No one was seen in the town where he used to live. Tsunami-damaged buildings were left untouched, he said. He said he just picked up his health insurance card, TV, suits, some clothes and shoes along with a photo album. He said he saw several other cars carrying household items like his on his way to pick up his relatives He returned to his shelter at around 9 p.m. Wednesday, feeling exhausted. He said he was relieved radiation screening after the trip turned out to be negative.
According to Fukushima Prefecture, traffic is restricted at the 20 km boundary on major roads manned by police officers who urge people to keep out, but have no legal binding power attached to the government's evacuation directive. Many people have been reentering the zone through back roads, according to prefectural officials. The elderly couple, living around 19 km north of Fukushima Daiichi in Minamisoma city, told Kyodo News over the phone that they have electricity and can get water from a well. "Nothing has changed in town but people are gone." The woman, 67, was working in Tokyo on March 11, while her 75-year-old partner was at home in Minamisoma with his six horses. His home was designated part of the evacuation zone on the night of March 12. The man evacuated at first, but after meeting up with his partner in Tokyo, they decided to return on March 18, although they "feared radiation," they said. The man said they went outdoors on March 24 and saw police officers in
protective gear patrolling. After one week, he started to see animal welfare groups in the town where pet dogs were left unattended and felt less threatened by radiation and wondered about the significance of the 20 km zoning.
From April 1 on, car traffic increased and lights were turned on in some homes in the neighborhood, he said. Life is inconvenient for them, nonetheless. Gas supplies have been halted. They have to go once every week for grocery shopping at a super market 20 km away by car. The town hospital remains closed. On April 6, they underwent radiation screening that showed they were both negative. At home they do not even wear masks, they said, adding that they had noticed people returning. The Minamisoma city government is planning to resume school for primary and middle school pupils in late April, officials said Saturday. People are returning to the 20-30 km zone even though the government recommends people leave voluntarily, they said. Of the zone's roughly 6,000 pupils, around 1,700 are currently staying in the zone or near it. Many school buildings in the city have been damaged by the quake and are not ready for reopening even after Wednesday, which was supposed to be the starting
day for the new school year.
The city is planning to use four school buildings confirmed safe just outside the ring zone. In order to reduce pupils' exposure to the air when they come to school and go home, the city is planning to run school buses. While the central government is considering designating the 20-30 km ring an evacuation zone, a city official said of their schooling plan, "It is a desperate measure to provide children with chances to learn and is not intended to call citizens back to the city."
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this is from an email alert from rsoe.com
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