6 years after nuclear disaster, residents trickle back to deserted towns

Let's hope the government gets in there and controls all the wild pigs, feral cats and other vermin that have taken over these towns before the people move back in. And, send the bill to TEPCO. Don't stick the bill on local people's land and city taxes,

to defend Nuclear industries, Japan's Abe government still understate Radioactive contamination,and deny existence of Radiation disease at genaral public.

but Thyroid abnormalities is increasing in eastern japan.

Zichi beat me to it, this is simply pure insanity having a tiny few move back & at what COSTS.....

There needs to be a some REAL HARD decisions made, but frankly Namie seems easy, NO to moving back, yes its sad, but its simple, its way beyond foolish to move back that close to the meltdowns.

Japan needs to male more hard decisions to prevent another disaster or the fiscal kind, ie throwing good $$$ at a bad situation

But sadly there is too much money to be made making these towns into white elephants......

I'm sure that in 10-20 years we will then hear about how all those people and thus their children who returned, now suffer from strange illnesses that they had "no knowledge of" back in 2017. I would be very distrustful of the governments official stances towards anything nuclear. These people do not care if you die of cancer! They only care if they have to bow in apology on tape.

So quoting a 71 year old who is one of a few hundred who want to go back and die where they grew up. What part of these towns being finished don't they understand? Not as if other rural areas don't have problems with depopulation and aging residents. These are now and will be for the foreseeable future nothing more than ghost towns. Time has long past for a reality check! And stop wasting my taxes!

Zichi-sama, You are alive! I have wondered at your long absence. I guess this crazy plan to return to "safe" zones is what it took to bring you back to us. Please keep posting. It seems to me the general NHK coverage is bent towards a glossy rose outlook for the "beginning of recovery". Myself, I think everyone should stay far, far away from Fukushima milk etc. It's very sad, but people must accept that this area is highly questionable to return to.

but Thyroid abnormalities is increasing in eastern japan

No, they aren't. When intensive testing, like what was done to former Fukushima residents, has been done in other areas of Japan similar levels of 'thyroid abnormalities' have been found.

I'm sure that in 10-20 years we will then hear about how all those people and thus their children who returned, now suffer from strange illnesses that they had "no knowledge of" back in 2017.

Doubtful. It has been over 30 years since Chernobyl and no strange illnesses have surfaced, just well know effects of radiation exposure, exposure levels which didn't happen at Fukushima.

And there are numerous people who have returned or never left the Chernobyl area that show no ill effects.

Animals are thriving in Chernobyl. It seems that man is far worse for them than radiation.

Sorry... but what I said about the animals is a fact. And can be found on any decent scientific website... National Geographic, IFLS and newscientist etc.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn28281-wildlife-is-thriving-around-chernobyl-since-the-people-left/

In fact New Scientist even uses the phrase that you've taken exception to... that the animals are THRIVING

I didn't mention the 'extreme mutations' of human life because I don't have sufficient information to comment. Though I do know that the initial and expected figures of cancers etc were proven to be well and truly incorrect.

https://chernobylguide.com/chernobyl_mutations/

Interesting link though not one I'd use to form an opinion on without any scientific evidence/facts etc. Not to mention one that uses the language of a junior high school textbook. But as I said, I don't have enough information to comment on mutations, the extent of them or the impact. But we do know the official death toll into Chernobyl from the UN put the predicted number of deaths at 4000

Also interesting that you both seem to disagree with the new scientist article.

Interesting link though not one I'd use to form an opinion on without any scientific evidence/facts etc.

No of course not. You want everyone to believe that the wildlife around Chernobyl is just fine.

But as I said, I don't have enough information to comment on mutations, the extent of them or the impact.

But you just did. here

Animals are thriving in Chernobyl

and here

Sorry... but what I said about the animals is a fact.

animals that suffer from genetic mutations are not thriving.

And that ends the bickering on this thread. Please focus your comments on what is in the story and not at each other.