“Recovery and reconstruction after a nuclear accident is a situation for which we had no precedents and it is very difficult. We ask the government to act responsibly and share evidence-based information,” Uchibori added.

The governor’s reaction came after the Japanese government approved a revised plan in early January to inject into the Pacific Ocean in the coming months. contaminated and purified water that accumulates at the plant.

This water is currently being treated in circuits called ALPS (Advanced Liquid Processing System) to remove 62 types of radioactive material through Except tritium.

Residents of the area and several Pacific countries They protested the decision, arguing that the data provided by Japan was “not enough” to be able to assess the impact it would have on human health and the marine environment.

Memory that fades

A decade after the disaster, the region is also concerned that its memory will be erased following the recent announcement of a change in public policy regarding plant reactivation and extending the life of their reactors beyond 60 years.

“For the past 12 years, we have been fighting this set of disasters, but we feel that the memory of what was, began to fade“Uchibori said regarding the physical effects of the earthquake and tsunami, the nuclear disaster, and the bad reputation associated with the area.

In recent years, a number of countries such as US or UK lift sanctions regarding imports of products from Fukushima, and the region is also making efforts to develop its agricultural and livestock sector.

However, over 300 square kilometers of land in six locations in this prefecture, including Katsurao, Okuma and Futabaremain classified as “difficult return zones” and their rehabilitation remains uncertain.

In Futaba, for example, a government survey conducted last year showed that about 60.5% of former residents are not going to returnabove the 11.3% who wanted to return.

“Use of nuclear energy and nuclear policy is something the government should consider of its own free will, but with lessons learned from the 2011 accident, and puts people’s safety first,” the Governor explained.

Solving the water spill, completely dismantling the plant, revitalizing the region’s economy and re-engaging its former residents are some of the challenges facing this prefecture still marked by the stigma of what happened.

“12 years ago, people who lived in the area had to suddenly leave their homes. Some were very old, others had no means of transportation or relatives nearby, so they experienced great hardship. Some 27,000 people are still displaced.Uchibori concluded.

EFE