Fukushima evacuation area to soon be declared 'off-limits'

The 20-km evacuation zone around the crisis-hit Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant will soon be turned into a legally binding off-limits zone, senior officials said Sunday.

The step is aimed at increasing government control over the area. Desperate residents have been braving radiation fears for quick return trips to pick up essential belongings. Officials suggested Sunday that they will now be able to force anyone out of the evacuation zone who refuses to leave.

The Fukushima Prefectural Government has been urging Tokyo to impose such a zone and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Sunday that final arrangements are being made to take the step.

Under the law on nuclear disaster countermeasures, the government can order heads of cities, towns and villages to designate legally binding "caution areas" where people other than those engaged in disaster relief are prohibited from entering and can ordered to leave under threat of punishment. (read more)