The town of Okuma remains evacuated mainly due to the persistent radioactive contamination caused by the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. Radiation levels in some areas remain high enough to pose risks to human health, preventing a safe return of residents.
On March 11, 2011, a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 9 struck hard on the northeast coast of Japan. In its wake, an impressive tsunami surged over the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, submerging the essential electrical installations needed to regulate the cooling of the reactors. As a result, three reactors experienced a partial meltdown of their nuclear cores, releasing significant amounts of radioactive substances into the air and sea. More than one hundred thousand residents living around the plant were quickly evacuated to escape the risks associated with radioactive contamination. Very quickly, the authorities established an exclusion zone, strictly prohibiting access to the surroundings of the plant. To this day, many areas remain off-limits and uninhabited due to the inability to ensure the safety of residents.
Due to the explosion of the Fukushima nuclear reactor, large quantities of radioactive substances were released. Some areas like Okuma are still heavily contaminated, particularly with cesium-137, which takes about 30 years to lose half of its radioactivity. These radioactive particles permeate the soils, forests, buildings, and even some watercourses, remaining trapped in the environment. Contamination is difficult to manage, as radioactive pollutants accumulate durably in agricultural soils or seep into groundwater. Even today, radiation levels in Okuma far exceed recommended thresholds, making the prolonged return of residents far too dangerous to health.
Even after several years, radioactivity remains too high in Okuma to allow residents to return safely. The contamination from cesium-137, a radioactive element that can persist in the environment, is still very present. This substance easily penetrates the soil and then ends up in plants, meaning everything that grows or feeds there. As a result, the risk of consuming contaminated food is real and can lead to serious illnesses, particularly cancers and thyroid disorders, especially in children. In addition to the soil, forested areas and abandoned buildings remain heavily contaminated, complicating cleanup efforts. Health authorities prefer to advocate caution because even at low doses, prolonged exposure to radiation can result in long-term harmful health effects. In short, the medical risks are still far too significant to consider a safe mass return of residents.
Decontaminating Okuma is far from simple. First of all, the soil contains radioactive cesium which is particularly difficult to remove, as it adheres persistently to soils, buildings, and plants. Technically, it requires removing the top layer of soil, cleaning or demolishing buildings, and even cutting down entire contaminated forests. This represents a massive undertaking that requires specialized equipment, tons of materials, and highly skilled labor. All this management also generates immense amounts of radioactive waste (millions of tons) that no one really knows what to do with in the long term. Financially, it's a real headache: billions of euros have been spent since the accident, and the costs continue to rise. Despite Japan injecting a lot of money, it's difficult to predict when and if Okuma will truly be livable and safe again.
The return to Okuma remains complicated due to a lack of trust from the residents towards the Japanese authorities and Tepco, the company responsible for the power plant: it is hard to believe that everything is fine when a nuclear accident has occurred right in front of you. As a result, many people have rebuilt their lives elsewhere during these long years of forced exile, and they no longer want to start over once again. Many fear social discrimination, being seen as "contaminated" in the eyes of the rest of Japan, which further intensifies the desire to stay away. Additionally, politically, the debates and disagreements about the future of the region hinder any clear decision-making, prolonging the reconstruction process. The complicated cooperation between the central government, local authorities, and the population slows down sustainable resettlement projects.
Cesium-137, one of the isotopes responsible for radioactive contamination at Fukushima, has a half-life of about 30 years. This means that after 30 years, its radioactivity will have decreased by only half.
The Japanese government has designated certain areas of Okuma as exclusive zones for research and ecological observation of the effects of prolonged human inactivity on the environment and local biodiversity.
Since the nuclear disaster, around 160,000 people from Fukushima have been forced to leave their homes, and many areas remain off-limits, even more than ten years after the accident.
In order to gradually revive Okuma, Japan is currently building facilities to temporarily house the workers and scientists involved in the decontamination operations at Fukushima.
Apart from direct concerns related to health security, residents may fear not being able to regain their former community life, having lost trust in the authorities, or having established their lives elsewhere during these many years of evacuation.
Currently, the plant is in the process of partial dismantling and is under strict surveillance. Procedures for extracting molten nuclear fuel continue to pose a significant technological challenge, and radioactive water remains a persistent environmental issue.
The operations include, in particular, the surface stripping of contaminated soils, the collection and storage of contaminated materials, as well as the intensive washing of structures and buildings. These procedures are complex and very expensive.
Certain specific areas, typically located on the outskirts of the nuclear power plant, can be temporarily visited under supervision and with appropriate protective gear, but the majority of the city remains off-limits to the public due to the ongoing radioactive risk.
Long-term health risks include a potential increase in cancer cases, particularly thyroid cancer, as well as cardiovascular, immune, and neurological issues. Regular medical check-ups are recommended for individuals who have been exposed.
As of now, no specific date has been set. A complete reopening will depend on the progress of decontamination work, the level of radioactivity, and the long-term health results of studies conducted in the area.
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