Fukushima municipalities demand more cleaning

Municipalities around the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant have demanded that the central government continue decontamination work in the areas.

The mayors and assembly leaders of 8 municipalities around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Fukushima Prefecture, met Environment Minister Nobuteru Ishihara on Friday and handed him a letter of request.

Many residents of the towns and villages evacuated after the nuclear accident at the plant and still live away from their homes.

Their leaders demanded that the ministry continue removal of radioactive fallout until radiation levels meet the government's long-term goal of one millisievert or below per year.

The ministry reportedly said it would study their requests and quickly deal with the matter after discussions.

Decontamination work is almost complete in Hirono Town, where radiation levels were relatively low. But such work has not started in the towns of Tomioka, Futaba or Namie.

Representing the 8 towns and villages, Hirono Town Mayor Motohoshi Yamada demanded more decontamination, saying it's crucial for allowing former residents to return home safely.

Aug. 2, 2013 - Updated 09:14 UTC