A framework for limited use of high-dose areas following the Fukushima nuclear accident

This study analysed Japan's implementation of a regulatory framework that enables limited, non-residential land use in areas where radiation levels remain too high for repopulation following a nuclear accident, focusing on a wind power project in Katsurao Village, Fukushima Prefecture. Although international initiatives have advanced protective actions for the emergency phase of radiological events, comparatively little guidance exists for the recovery phase, particularly regarding procedures for lifting evacuation orders in persistently high-dose areas. Japan's experience is unique: while evacuation orders have been lifted across multiple municipalities, some zones remain unsuitable for habitation, necessitating new policy approaches. To address this gap, Katsurao Village employed the framework to authorise land use in a 19.9 hectare district designated for wind power generation. A multi-stakeholder committee-comprising residents, experts, government authorities, and industry representatives-was established to evaluate dose-reduction measures, access protocols, environmental maintenance, and operational safeguards. The committee identified several unresolved issues, including the absence of standardised monitoring procedures, challenges in managing worker exposure, the need for clear demarcation and communication to prevent unauthorised entry, and mechanisms for transparent reporting in the event of abnormal findings. This case demonstrates both the feasibility and complexity of enabling controlled land use in high-dose areas, underscoring the importance of governance, technical standardisation, and sustained risk communication.