Village in Fukushima no-go zone to call for residents to return permanently by March

If the government says its safe to return to an area hit by one of the worst nuclear disasters in history, it must be, right? Why would they lie?

KAWAUCHI, Fukushima -- Authorities in this village, part of which still stands in the no-go zone around the crippled Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant, plan to call on all evacuated residents to return by the end of March, it has been learned.

The local government organized a meeting for residents in January, during which officials explained plans for decontamination procedures and actions that have been taken to secure employment after residents return to the village.

"Most residents seemed to agree with our explanations and plans to a certain extent," said a senior town official, who attended the meeting. Therefore, the municipal government has decided to encourage all residents to return to their homes. After consulting with the municipal assembly and others, the village will report its decision to Fukushima Gov. Yuhei Sato.

On Jan. 31, the municipal government will call on residents to return home, hoping that all evacuees will move back to their homes by the end of March. School and town hall operations will be resumed from April, officials said. 

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