In 2011, the map of Fukushima was updated to reflect some unprecedented and disturbing information. This was a map showing aerial radiation measurements, monitored by aircraft. Additionally, an evacuation area map displayed areas where mandatory evacuations were enforced because of the nuclear accident.
This inauspicious map differed greatly from typical maps that display information such as topography, roads, and tourist locations.
However, these maps come with a silver lining, the emotions and memories born out of the mutual help and encouragement given to one another in order to overcome this unprecedented disaster.
One month after the accident (4/29/2011)
Seven months post-accident (11/05/2011)
15 months post-accident (6/28/2012)
30 months post-accident (9/28/2013)
42 months post-accident (9/20/2014)
54 months post-accident (9/29/2015)
67 months post-accident (10/15/2016)
78 months post-accident (9/25/2017)
91 months post-accident (10/16/2018)
Published by the Nuclear Regulation Authority
http://radioactivity.nsr.go.jp/ja/contents/14000/13500/24/180220_12th_air.pdf
2011.3.11
2011.3.12
2011.3.15
2011.4.22
2011.9.30
2012.12.10
2013.8.6
2014.10.1
2015.9.5
2016.7.12
2017.4.1
2018
2019
| March 11, 2011 | Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant(NPP)・Official declaration of emergency |
|---|---|
| ・Evacuation orders given for the area within 3 km | |
| ・Residents within 10 km instructed to take shelter indoors |
| March 12, 2011 | Fukushima Daiichi NPP・Evacuation orders given for those within 10 km of Fukushima Daiichi NPP |
|---|---|
| Fukushima Daini NPP・Official declaration of emergency at Fukushima Daini NPP | |
| ・Evacuation orders given for those within 10 km | |
| Fukushima Daiichi NPP・Evacuation orders given for those within 20 km of Fukushima Daiichi NPP |
| March 15, 2011 | Fukushima Daiichi NPP・Residents within 20-30 km of Fukushima Daiichi given instructions to take shelter indoors |
|---|
| April 22, 2011 | Three evacuation areas established |
|---|---|
| Restricted area (within 20 km of the power plant; entry generally prohibited) |
|
| Planned evacuation area (area outside of 20 km where annual exposure to radiation exceeds 20 mSv) |
|
| Areas where emergency evacuation are being prepared (area within 20-30 km of the power plant) |
| September 30, 2011 | Emergency Evacuation AreaRemoval of the Areas where emergency evacuation was prepared |
|---|
| August 6, 2012 | Evacuation area reorganization |
|---|---|
| Resettlement difficulties area (annual radioactivity doses still exceeding 20 mSv five years after) |
|
| Restricted residence area (risk of receiving annual radioactivity doses exceeding 20 mSv, continued evacuation required) |
|
| Areas where preparations are being made for cancellation of evacuation orders (annual exposure to radioactivity confirmed below 20 mSv) |
|
| Review of evacuation areas by each local government2013 | |
| 2013 | Review of evacuation areas by each local government |
|---|
| April 1, 2014 | Evacuation orders lifted for Tamura-shi |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2014 | Evacuation orders lifted for part of Kawauchi-mura |
| September 5, 2015 | Evacuation orders lifted for Naraha-machi |
|---|
| June 12, 2016 | Evacuation orders lifted for most of Katsurao-mura |
|---|---|
| June 14, 2016 | Evacuation orders lifted for Kawauchi-mura |
| July 12, 2016 | Evacuation orders lifted for most of Minamisoma-shi |
| March 31, 2017 | Evacuation orders lifted for parts of Kawamata and Namie, most of Iidate-mura |
|---|---|
| April 1, 2017 | Evacuation orders lifted for most of Tomioka-machi |
| 2018 |
|---|
| April 10, 2019 | Removal of restricted residence area and areas where emergency evacuation was prepared at Ookuma-machi |
|---|
| The Decision 4 Years After the Nuclear Accident | http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/shinsai-movie/ |
|---|---|
| Moving towards 40 years in the future, the present state of Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant | http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/genpatsu-fukushima/ |
| Other sites | http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/ |
―――”If I knew the world was to end tomorrow, I would still plant an apple tree today.” There exist people like this who refuse to give up, and dream of a better future.
Even if they are betrayed or knocked down, they continue to believe in tomorrow without faltering.
The hope of these people will undoubtedly be what leads to a brighter future.
Everywhere you look, our Fukushima is flourishing, beautiful, and resilient.