Symposium in Fukushima explores ways to rehabilitate radiation-exposed town of Iitate
Nov. 30, 2012
by Yoko Yamamoto, Staff Writer
The entire community of Iitate, a village located in Fukushima Prefecture, remain evacuees as a result of the accident that occurred in March 2011 at the Fukushima No. 1 (Daiichi) nuclear power plant. On November 18, a symposium that brought researchers and local residents together was held to discuss current conditions in the village and explore ways to rehabilitate the community in line with residents’ wishes. The symposium, held roughly one year and eight months following the accident, is an opening to pursue assistance which is appropriate for the affected area amid the strong distrust felt by residents over measures taken by the Japanese government and explanations provided by scientists.
High hopes for support from the A-bombed city
“I’m full of suspicions when it comes to the idea of returning to the village,” said Hiroshi Kanno, 64, a farmer, speaking softly before the audience of about 160 people, include 30 Iitate residents.
In July, the Japanese government redrew its designations for the village into three zones: “no-entry zones,” where radiation exceeds 50 millisieverts per year and are deemed off-limits; “restricted-residence zones,” which residents are able to access on a limited basis; and “zones being prepared for the lifting of the evacuation order.” The village of Iitate and the central government have agreed that the evacuation order is expected to be lifted in “three to six years after the accident,” depending on the particular zone.
Mr. Kanno, however, holds doubts over the efficacy of the decontamination efforts being made by the central government, which have been prioritized as a prerequisite for lifting the evacuation order. “Their decontamination efforts are still at an experimental stage,” he said. “Having residents return to the village without credible assurance that the area is safe would be unbelievable.”
Families have been split into separate households
Residents are torn between their worries over the invisible radiation and its uncertain impact on human health, and their sentiments for their town, wishing to return but unable to do so. Before the accident at the nuclear plant, the number of households in the village totaled approximately 1,700. But following their evacuation, extended families were split into smaller units and the number of separate households has nearly doubled, to over 3,000. “Elderly residents are living in temporary housing while the younger generations are living in rental housing,” Mr. Kanno explained. “Some families have been split into as many as five households.” He pointed out that belated evacuation orders from the Japanese government produced more difficult divisions among family members.
The symposium was organized by the Iitate-mura Society for Radioecology, established in September by researchers and journalists working to investigate and support the village. The researchers involved have various areas of expertise, including urban planning, reactor engineering, the atomic bombings, and radiation exposure. Koji Itonaga, a professor at the College of Bioresource Sciences of Nihon University, explained, “The residents have been tied in knots by all the information they’ve been given. It’s important to discuss things in a calm manner, from all sides.”
Mr. Itonaga has proposed that a road map be created which includes a long evacuation period, or “emigration,” and a “returned settlement” in the future. Based on the results of a survey, he stressed, “What is needed is a mechanism for securing detached houses for the residents’ evacuation period as well as legislation which guarantees their right to live in two residences.”
Mr. Itonaga agrees with Mr. Kanno in that maintaining the functions and ties of their community must be made a priority amid the pursuit of decontamination efforts and the uncertain effects on human health from low-dose radiation exposure.
Hiroshima stands by local residents
“Do we have to think about this as a problem lasting ten years or more?” a resident asked. This question came in response to Tetsuji Imanaka, an assistant professor at the Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute, originally from Naka Ward, Hiroshima, who had indicated, “It will take ten years for the radiation levels to settle. I expect at that time we will able to judge whether people can return to the village or not. It’s too early to discuss whether decontamination is the priority.” Then, answering the question posed by the resident, Mr. Imanaka said, “Residents must decide at what level of radiation they are willing to return to the village. Taking time to discuss this is vital. The matter will never be resolved with a one-sided decision by the government.”
Mr. Imanaka has continued to research the contamination at the village since the aftermath of the accident alongside such experts as Satoru Endo, an associate professor at the Graduate School of Engineering at Hiroshima University. He understands the distrust felt by local residents, saying, “The Japanese government and scientists have concealed the real situation regarding radiation exposure.”
Kenta Sato, 30, a resident of Iitate, is moving forward with such efforts as preparing a notebook in which residents can record their precise actions following the accident, a method learned from the A-bombed city. Mr. Sato said, “We have been encouraged by the people of Hiroshima, in their willingness to stand by us and provide continuous support.”
Mr. Imanaka and Mr. Endo have been pursuing research to clarify the true conditions of radiation exposure in the affected area. Mr. Itonaga, too, is proceeding with a large-scale survey of the local residents. Haruko Moritaki, 73, a resident of Saiki Ward, Hiroshima, and co-chair of a citizens’ group called the Hiroshima Alliance for Nuclear Weapons Abolition, praised the symposium, commenting, “I was impressed with the way the residents and researchers engaged in dialogue based on mutual trust.” At a reception held afterward, she said, “I also sense their hopes for support from Hiroshima. I would like to begin by forming a network.”
Keywords
Mass Evacuation of Iitate Village
Located about 40 kilometers northwest of the Fukushima No. 1 (Daiichi) nuclear power plant, the entire village of Iitate was designated a “planned evacuation zone” in April 2011. As of November 1, 2012, a total of 522 residents have evacuated to areas outside Fukushima Prefecture, including nine residents now living in Hiroshima Prefecture. About 6,700 people are evacuees inside and outside the prefecture. Thirteen residents in eight households have refused to evacuate from the town.
(Originally published on November 26, 2012)
The entire community of Iitate, a village located in Fukushima Prefecture, remain evacuees as a result of the accident that occurred in March 2011 at the Fukushima No. 1 (Daiichi) nuclear power plant. On November 18, a symposium that brought researchers and local residents together was held to discuss current conditions in the village and explore ways to rehabilitate the community in line with residents’ wishes. The symposium, held roughly one year and eight months following the accident, is an opening to pursue assistance which is appropriate for the affected area amid the strong distrust felt by residents over measures taken by the Japanese government and explanations provided by scientists.
High hopes for support from the A-bombed city
“I’m full of suspicions when it comes to the idea of returning to the village,” said Hiroshi Kanno, 64, a farmer, speaking softly before the audience of about 160 people, include 30 Iitate residents.
In July, the Japanese government redrew its designations for the village into three zones: “no-entry zones,” where radiation exceeds 50 millisieverts per year and are deemed off-limits; “restricted-residence zones,” which residents are able to access on a limited basis; and “zones being prepared for the lifting of the evacuation order.” The village of Iitate and the central government have agreed that the evacuation order is expected to be lifted in “three to six years after the accident,” depending on the particular zone.
Mr. Kanno, however, holds doubts over the efficacy of the decontamination efforts being made by the central government, which have been prioritized as a prerequisite for lifting the evacuation order. “Their decontamination efforts are still at an experimental stage,” he said. “Having residents return to the village without credible assurance that the area is safe would be unbelievable.”
Families have been split into separate households
Residents are torn between their worries over the invisible radiation and its uncertain impact on human health, and their sentiments for their town, wishing to return but unable to do so. Before the accident at the nuclear plant, the number of households in the village totaled approximately 1,700. But following their evacuation, extended families were split into smaller units and the number of separate households has nearly doubled, to over 3,000. “Elderly residents are living in temporary housing while the younger generations are living in rental housing,” Mr. Kanno explained. “Some families have been split into as many as five households.” He pointed out that belated evacuation orders from the Japanese government produced more difficult divisions among family members.
The symposium was organized by the Iitate-mura Society for Radioecology, established in September by researchers and journalists working to investigate and support the village. The researchers involved have various areas of expertise, including urban planning, reactor engineering, the atomic bombings, and radiation exposure. Koji Itonaga, a professor at the College of Bioresource Sciences of Nihon University, explained, “The residents have been tied in knots by all the information they’ve been given. It’s important to discuss things in a calm manner, from all sides.”
Mr. Itonaga has proposed that a road map be created which includes a long evacuation period, or “emigration,” and a “returned settlement” in the future. Based on the results of a survey, he stressed, “What is needed is a mechanism for securing detached houses for the residents’ evacuation period as well as legislation which guarantees their right to live in two residences.”
Mr. Itonaga agrees with Mr. Kanno in that maintaining the functions and ties of their community must be made a priority amid the pursuit of decontamination efforts and the uncertain effects on human health from low-dose radiation exposure.
Hiroshima stands by local residents
“Do we have to think about this as a problem lasting ten years or more?” a resident asked. This question came in response to Tetsuji Imanaka, an assistant professor at the Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute, originally from Naka Ward, Hiroshima, who had indicated, “It will take ten years for the radiation levels to settle. I expect at that time we will able to judge whether people can return to the village or not. It’s too early to discuss whether decontamination is the priority.” Then, answering the question posed by the resident, Mr. Imanaka said, “Residents must decide at what level of radiation they are willing to return to the village. Taking time to discuss this is vital. The matter will never be resolved with a one-sided decision by the government.”
Mr. Imanaka has continued to research the contamination at the village since the aftermath of the accident alongside such experts as Satoru Endo, an associate professor at the Graduate School of Engineering at Hiroshima University. He understands the distrust felt by local residents, saying, “The Japanese government and scientists have concealed the real situation regarding radiation exposure.”
Kenta Sato, 30, a resident of Iitate, is moving forward with such efforts as preparing a notebook in which residents can record their precise actions following the accident, a method learned from the A-bombed city. Mr. Sato said, “We have been encouraged by the people of Hiroshima, in their willingness to stand by us and provide continuous support.”
Mr. Imanaka and Mr. Endo have been pursuing research to clarify the true conditions of radiation exposure in the affected area. Mr. Itonaga, too, is proceeding with a large-scale survey of the local residents. Haruko Moritaki, 73, a resident of Saiki Ward, Hiroshima, and co-chair of a citizens’ group called the Hiroshima Alliance for Nuclear Weapons Abolition, praised the symposium, commenting, “I was impressed with the way the residents and researchers engaged in dialogue based on mutual trust.” At a reception held afterward, she said, “I also sense their hopes for support from Hiroshima. I would like to begin by forming a network.”
Keywords
Mass Evacuation of Iitate Village
Located about 40 kilometers northwest of the Fukushima No. 1 (Daiichi) nuclear power plant, the entire village of Iitate was designated a “planned evacuation zone” in April 2011. As of November 1, 2012, a total of 522 residents have evacuated to areas outside Fukushima Prefecture, including nine residents now living in Hiroshima Prefecture. About 6,700 people are evacuees inside and outside the prefecture. Thirteen residents in eight households have refused to evacuate from the town.
(Originally published on November 26, 2012)
