FAQ
Safety and the Situation in Fukushima
People can live as normal in most of Fukushima Prefecture as they can anywhere else in Japan. Areas with entry restrictions (Difficult-to-Return Zones) account for around 2.4% (approx. 337 km²) of the total area of Fukushima Prefecture. Compared to immediately after the accident, evacuation orders cover an increasingly small total area, and radiation dose levels have decreased year-on-year.
In August 2013, the power station's nuclear reactor was confirmed to be in cold shutdown. Following this, a review was conducted of evacuation orders and the areas under them, and the following designations were adopted:
- Difficult-to-Return Zone: Area where the radiation dose exceeds 50 mSv/year
- Restricted Residence Area: Area where the radiation dose is 20–50 mSv/year
- Area Preparing for the Lifting of Evacuation Orders: Area where the radiation dose is 20 mSv/year or lower
Evacuation orders have been gradually lifted since 2014, and as of March 2020, they only remain in place for Difficult-to-Return Zones. However, evacuation orders are being lifted for certain neighborhoods within these zones (such as around train stations) where the radiation dose is lower than 20 mSv/year.
