The Yomiuri Shimbun
Areas within three kilometers of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant likely will be kept off-limits for an extended period–possibly for several decades–because they have been highly contaminated with radioactive substances, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
The ban on entry to these areas will remain in place even after the 20-kilometer no-go zone around the plant is lifted when the crisis at the nuclear plant is brought under control, according to government sources.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan will likely hold talks with leaders of local governments in the affected areas and apologize for the prolonged evacuation.
The areas to be kept off-limits will likely include parts of Futabamachi and Okumamachi, both in Fukushima Prefecture. They are within three kilometers of the nuclear plant crippled by March 11 disaster.
The areas could be kept off-limits for “several decades,” according to government sources.
Continue reading at N-plant area uninhabitable ‘for many yrs’ / Govt to keep entry ban for 3-km zone
◇ Related articles in Japanese:
・官房長官「長期にわたり居住困難も」 原発警戒区域の一部で via 日本経済新聞Web刊
・＜原発＞警戒区域解除を一部見送り 首相が現地で説明へ via mainichi.jp
・原発周辺、長期間住めないと判断…首相陳謝へ via Yomiuri Online
