Small areas reopen near Fukushima nuclear plant, few return
Evacuation orders have been lifted in small sections of Tomioka, a town just southwest of the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant, in time for the area’s popular cherry blossom season
TOKYO (AP) — Evacuation orders were lifted in small sections of a Japanese town just southwest of the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant on Saturday, in time for the area’s popular cherry blossom season, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida joined a ceremony to mark the reopening.
The area of about 4 square kilometers (1.5 square miles) where entry restrictions were lifted is part of Tomioka town, most of which had already been reopened since an earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 triggered triple meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Former residents and visitors celebrated the latest reopening as they strolled along a street known as “the cherry blossoms tunnel.”
Koichi Ono, 75, was back to the neighborhood where he grew up and lived all his life until he was forced to evacuate. “After 12 years, I can finally return to my life here," he told NHK television. “The disaster hit when I was just starting my retirement life, so I'm starting all over again.”
