Radiation worries
However, concerns remain about background radiation levels and uncertainty surrounding the safety of the area, especially given past concerns about the reporting of radiation levels in the area by Fukushima’s operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). Last month, Miyakoji residents were told at a community meeting that radiation contamination levels had lowered sufficiently to enable their return to the area — though some voiced concern over existing radiation levels despite decontamination efforts around some communities.
“Yes, I am a bit worried. But it’s my land, my house, so I am feel safer and more at home here,” one resident told broadcaster NHK.
Areas are declared suitable for habitation if residents are exposed to a maximum of 20 millisieverts of radiation per year. Officials have said they would like to get radiation exposure down to one millisievert a year.
The containment effort at the wrecked Fukushima plant has been beset by problems, with regular reports of leaks of contaminated material. Earlier this year, an estimated 100 metric tons of highly contaminated water flowed over a barrier around a containment tank and is being absorbed into the ground, TEPCO said in a statement — though it denied there was any leakage into the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Article Appeared @http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/01/world/asia/fukushima-miyakoji-return/index.html?hpt=hp_t3