Japanese Government Offers 20 Million Won to Move to Fukushima... Forcing Citizens into Danger Ahead of Tokyo Olympics

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Nahana] As Japan prepares to host the Tokyo Olympics next year, controversy has arisen over reports that the Japanese government is planning to give households about 20 million won in cash if they move near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 13th, the Japanese government announced that people who did not live in the 12 municipalities near Fukushima at the time of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident but move to one of the 12 cities, towns, or villages near Fukushima will receive up to 2 million yen (about 20.98 million won) per household.

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, which caused the Fukushima nuclear accident, residents of the 12 nearby cities, towns, and villages evacuated to various regions across the country.

Even after the evacuation orders were lifted, the return rate of residents who had evacuated due to the nuclear accident remained low at around 20% based on the resident basic registry. As of April this year, the population in these areas is only about 18,000, with approximately 40% of them being elderly aged 65 or older.

The newspaper explained, "March next year marks the 10th anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear accident, but the population has not recovered," adding, "The plan aims not only to encourage the return of evacuees but also to promote the influx of new residents to revitalize the region."

According to the Japanese government, households moving with family from prefectures other than Fukushima will receive 2 million yen, and single-person households will receive 1.2 million yen. Those moving from within Fukushima Prefecture to one of the 12 municipalities will receive 1.2 million yen for family households and 800,000 yen for single-person households. Additionally, if they start a business within the region within five years of moving, up to 4 million yen will be provided, covering 75% of necessary expenses. The support funds come from the Fukushima Revitalization Acceleration Grant budget prepared by the Japanese government in June.

However, to prevent people who newly move near the Fukushima nuclear power plant from taking the support money and then moving away again, the government has set conditions requiring residents to live and work in the area for more than five years after moving. Remote work will also be recognized as employment for residency purposes.

The problem is that concerns and the situation regarding radiation leakage from the Fukushima nuclear power plant have not been resolved at all. The radioactive contamination and damage caused by the nuclear accident in the surrounding area remain serious. According to the Japanese private organization "3.11 Thyroid Cancer Children Fund," 18 Fukushima residents who were under 18 at the time of the nuclear accident were newly diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year.

Meanwhile, ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, the Japanese government is also pushing for the ocean discharge of radioactive contaminated water stored at the Fukushima nuclear power plant site.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.