The Japanese government has declared a no-entry zone within a 20km radius of Tokyo Electric Power’s stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, amid worries about the safety of people who have tried to return after having been evacuated.
The ban would be introduced from midnight, Yukio Edano, chief cabinet secretary, told reporters on Thursday. It affects the nearly 80,000 people who have been evacuated to displacement centres. Those breaking the ban could be subject to fines.
“Unfortunately, there have been reports of people returning independently to the area without taking adequate precautions,” Mr Edano was quoted as saying on NHK, the public broadcaster.