(Provisional translation)
Basic Guidelines for Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake
After the “Reconstruction and Revitalization Period”“Changes to the Basic Guidelines for Reconstruction from the Great East Japan
Earthquake in the Reconstruction and Revitalization Period” 1 lay out the basic
direction for reconstruction after the Reconstruction and Revitalization period,2
while the “Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform 2019” 3stipulates that basic guidelines must be decided during 2019 in order to takeappropriate measures after this period.
This document will summarize the reconstruction measures implemented todate, clarify the progress and results of these measures, as well as futurechallenges, and establish the basic guidelines for reconstruction from the Great
East Japan Earthquake on actions in each field, systems to support reconstruction,and organizations after the Reconstruction and Revitalization Period, based onprovisions in Article 3 of the Basic Act on Reconstruction in Response to the Great
East Japan Earthquake. 4
There will be no revitalization of Japan without reconstruction from the Great
East Japan Earthquake.
As set in the basic guidelines, the Japanese government will continue to launch
full-scale efforts to reconstruct the areas affected by the Great East Japan
Earthquake, maintaining a completely hands-on approach at the sides of thoseaffected by this disaster.
I. Summary of Past Reconstruction Measures
The Great East Japan Earthquake, the largest earthquake to hit Japan inrecorded history, generated a devastating tsunami over a widespread area. The
release of radioactive materials as a result of the accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima
Daiichi Nuclear Power Station caused an unprecedented complex disaster,
forcing the evacuation of countless residents, damaging industries and causing
negative reputations.
The Basic Act on Reconstruction in Response to the Great East Japan
Earthquake and the subsequent Basic Guidelines on Reconstruction from the
Cabinet Decision, March 8, 2019
FY 2016 to March 31, 2021
3
Cabinet Decision, June 21, 2019
4
Act No. 76 of 2011
1
2

1

Great East Japan Earthquake 5 based on this act were enacted in response to
the massive level of damage that occurred in comparison with other large-scaledisasters in the past. Unprecedented generous support was provided in
response to the disaster, including the formulation of a “Reconstruction
Financial Resources Framework”, legislation of special measures, developmentof mechanisms to provide human and financial support to local governments
affected by the disaster, and the implementation of various measures in eachfield, in addition to measures based on various laws and regulations, such as
the Act on Special Financial Support to Deal with the Designated Disaster ofExtreme Severity. 6
Reconstruction has made substantial progress as a result of these initiatives,with areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami now in the final stages ofreconstruction and areas affected by the nuclear disaster entering the full-scalereconstruction and revitalization stage.
However, along with the progress of reconstruction, projects that must
continue to be addressed and new challenges have come to light, requiring
responses based on a summary of the reconstruction measures implemented
to date.
Based on the above description of the current situation, the following
sections provide a summary of the reconstruction measures taken to date in
the formulation of the Basic Guidelines for Reconstruction from the Great East
Japan Earthquake After the “Reconstruction and Revitalization Period”.
1. Summary of actions in each field(1) Support for affected people (health and daily life support)① Mental health care support for affected people(Results)
・ Immediately after the disaster, a maximum of about 470,000 people
evacuated due to the massive damage over a wide area, such as the collapseof buildings. To immediately secure housing options, a maximum of
approximately 123,000 temporary housing units were provided under theDisaster Relief Act. 7 Subsequently, evacuees relocated to permanent
housing as a result of the construction of public housing for disasterDecided by the Reconstruction Headquarters in Response to the Great East Japan
Earthquake on July 29, 2011
6
Act No. 150 of 1962
7
Act No. 118 of 194752

affected people and relocation to elevated areas, as well as the payment ofSupport Grants for Reconstructing Livelihoods of Disaster Victims under the
Act Concerning Support for Reconstructing Livelihoods of Disaster Victims, 8which has reduced the number of evacuees to approximately 49,000. 9 The
government aims to eliminate temporary housing in areas affected by theearthquake and tsunami during the Reconstruction and Revitalization
period.
・ In order to response to health-related issues that have resulted fromprolonged life as evacuees, as well as issues related to setting up newlifestyles in public housing for disaster-affected people, continuous support
is being provided according to the evacuee’s stage of rebuilding his or her
lifestyle, such as consultations regarding housing and rebuilding lifestyles,
as well as watching over, support for daily life and community development.
There has been a marked decrease in the number of households requiringsupport, such as watching over.
(Future challenges)
・It will be necessary to consider how support can be provided to affected

people after the Reconstruction and Revitalization Period, including thecontinuation of such types of support for a certain period of time, for example,
support for formulating communities in districts that will be rebuilt at the endof the Reconstruction and Revitalization period, mental and physical care of
the elderly and other groups, “mental recovery” to help people find purposein life, watching over and lifestyle consultations, while also continuing to keep
in mind the differences in the progress of projects by region in areas affectedby the earthquake and tsunami.
・ Detailed support must continue to be provided to evacuees from areas
affected by the nuclear disaster, taking into account the prolonged life as
evacuees and status of the areas.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・In collaboration with diverse stakeholders, such as local governments andNPOs and other private organizations, various projects have been
implemented to support affected people in line with the stage ofreconstruction. It is important to build networks among these stakeholders
in times when there are no disasters to ensure the smooth development andimplementation of systems after a disaster occurs.

89

Act No. 66 of 1998
As of November 20193

・ Good practices, lessons and know-how should be collected so thatstakeholders, such as local governments and NPOs and other privateorganizations, can use these as reference.

② Support for children affected by the disaster(Results)
・School facilities damaged in the Great East Japan Earthquake have been

largely restored in areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami.
・An educational environment has been secured for children affected by theGreat East Japan Earthquake, as a result of prolonged life as evacuees or theloss of their parents or guardians. This has been done through educational
support with the assignment of special teachers and school counselors andsupport for children attending schools who are having difficulty for financial
reasons caused by the disaster.
(Future challenges)
・Methods of supporting children and schools should be examined based on

differences in the state of progress of reconstruction from the nuclear
disaster, clarification of difference of categories with general measures andexamples of past cases of large-scale disasters, in consideration of situations
where children and students continue to require learning support and mental
health care, as well as children and students who have difficulty attending
school for economic reasons caused by the disaster.
・Support should continue to be provided to reopen schools and other facilities

in areas affected by the nuclear disaster, as well as for the development of an
attractive educational environment at Futaba Future School and reopened
school facilities.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・It is necessary to develop disaster measures and raise awareness, such as
through the distribution of disaster-prevention educational materials inschools and hands-on experiences, such as conducting evacuation drills in
regular times on the basis of a newfound recognition in schools of theimportance of preventing disasters before they happen.

(2) Reconstruction of homes and cities① Restoration of towns and housings, and improvement of living
environments(Results)
・ With support from surveys under the direct control of the national4

government and the dispatch of support staff from local governments
around Japan, local governments in disaster-affected areas are continuing to
set the scale of projects for disaster public housing for disaster-affected
people and uplands relocation, based on the intentions of affected people,
and review of plans as necessary. During the Reconstruction andRevitalization period, approximately 30,000 public housing for disasteraffected people and about 18,000 residential lots in uplands are expected tobe completed. 10・ With the provision of Support Grants for Reconstructing Livelihoods ofDisaster Victims, the government is contributing to the development of
stable lifestyles and quick reconstruction in affected areas.
(Future challenges)
・With the generation of residential land that is not being used due to changes
in the intentions and plans of affected people, it will be necessary to promoteactions for the effective use of land developed through residential land
reallocation projects to create bustling towns.
・It will also be necessary to formulate land use plans for original relocation

areas that have been acquired by projects promoting collective relocation fordisaster preventions and also encourage local governments to take action in
utilizing these areas according to specific needs.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・It is necessary to pass on know-how and mechanisms for measures to improve

the operation of systems and simplify procedures to accelerate therestoration of towns and housings.
・It is necessary for local governments to put preliminary preparations in place,such as collaboration with related organizations, confirming local
characteristics and possible damage, sharing anticipated issues, examining
reconstruction systems and procedures, and reviewing potential candidate
sites for projects, in order to formulate plans for early and accurate
reconstruction projects.

② Building transportation and logistics networks that form the foundation foreconomic development of disaster-affected areas(Results)
・Massive amounts of disaster waste and tsunami deposits were generated
Of the public housing for long-term evacuees from the nuclear disaster, this excludes
housing where maintenance is pending and public housing for residents who have returned
home from evacuation sites following the nuclear disaster.

10

5

mainly along the Pacific coast. However, with the exception of some areas in
Fukushima Prefecture, the disposal of this debris has been completed.
・ With transportation infrastructure, such as Reconstructed Roads andReconstruction Support Roads, railways and ports which form the foundationfor economic development of affected areas, and coastal protection forests
being built, projects are slated for completion, with the exception of areas
affected by the nuclear disaster. The effects of reconstruction can be seen,such as the integration of production bases inland and connections withports on the coast through these transport and logistical networks.
(Future challenges)
・It is necessary to take actions to complete projects for the development oftransportation and logistic networks that form the foundation for economic
development of disaster-affected areas as quickly as possible during theReconstruction and Revitalization period so that impacts from Typhoon
Hagibis and other disasters in 2019 will not affect reconstruction efforts.
・ The managing body must continuously maintain and manage theinfrastructure developed for reconstruction in the future.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・A system should be developed for the smooth implementation of waste

management, such as the establishment of a support system using expert
networks, formulation of treatment plans for disaster waste, and organizationof joint training in communities at times when there are no disasters.
・ It is important for related organizations to collaborate in the overallmanagement of projects at individual locations when developing
transportation and logistics networks.

(3) Revitalization of industries and livelihoods① Acceleration of industrial revitalization(Results)
・As industries and livelihoods have been revitalized, shipments of products
manufactured in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures have generally
recovered to pre-earthquake levels, as a result of special measures for the
restoration of business facilities and equipment with group subsidies forsmall- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), new or additional facilities suchas factories with subsidies on relocating businesses, special depreciation
system for replacement of disaster-damaged assets, and special depreciation
tax system in special zones for reconstruction.
(Future challenges)
6・It is necessary to consider ways of providing adequate support to businesses

depending on local conditions and issues to establish and open up sales
channels and secure human resources in light of a broad difference in thestatus of recovery among local governments located along the coast.
・Support for rebuilding SMEs and other groups and support through subsidies
on relocating businesses should be appropriately reviewed, including theextension of applications and operational deadlines with a focus on target
areas based on the status of reconstruction to date in areas where landdevelopment necessary for recovery has been completed in the final year of
the Reconstruction and Revitalization period.
・With regard to tax systems for special zones for reconstruction, with theremarkable decline in population and workplaces, time is needed to improvebasic infrastructure through land readjustment projects in areas that haveexperienced massive damage from the tsunami. As there will be areas wherecompanies will not relocate, it will be necessary to consider extending
application deadlines for tax systems for special zones for reconstruction
after prioritizing target areas, so that areas that have been severely damaged
can continue to steadily work on its industrial revitalization.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・Understanding the status of business activities at the local government leveland examining how support can be provided when a disaster occurs in times
when there are no disasters will help promote prompt support in the eventof a disaster.
・When businesses take advantage of subsidies, it is important to be proactive
in providing information on market trends and advice on repayment plans.
・It is necessary to carefully identify and actively utilize expert human resources

both in and outside of disaster-affected areas when providing support tobusinesses affected by disasters.

② Promotion of tourism(Results)
・The national government positioned the year 2016 as the “first year of the
Tohoku tourism revitalization” and promoted a revival of tourism, including
promotions in major overseas markets and support for efforts by local
governments to attract inbound tourism, toward the goal of increasing thetotal number of foreign visitors staying overnight in the six prefectures in
Tohoku to “1.5 million nights” by 2020. As a result, since FY 2016, the numberof foreign visitors staying overnight in six prefectures in the Tohoku region
7has been growing steadily at a rate higher than that of the entire country.
This number significantly exceeds levels before the earthquake.
(Future challenges)
・Additional independent tourism policies must be developed by prefecturesin Tohoku.
・It is necessary to promote measures to avoid continued reputational damage

in Fukushima Prefecture, such as how the growth rate of the total number ofguests staying overnight over the entire period since the earthquake in 2011
has remained particularly low in comparison with the rest of the country.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・Similar to reconstruction tourism, programs that allow people to directly
experience the lessons from the disaster and status of recovery andreconstruction on site can also be used for educational trips and study tour,
improve knowledge and awareness of disasters, and contribute to disasterprevention and mitigation measures in the future.

③ Revitalization of the agricultural, forestry, and fishery industries(Results)
・The restoration of agricultural, forestry and fishery infrastructure in areas

affected by the earthquake and tsunami, such as farmland, agricultural
facilities, timber processing and distribution facilities, fishing port facilities,
and fishery processing facilities, has largely been completed. Together withsuch restoration efforts, actions are being taken to raise production efficiency
and increase added value, such as large-partitioning of agricultural land.
・ With this in mind, agricultural and forestry output in Iwate and Miyagi

prefectures have shown a level of recovery comparable to that before theearthquake and that are generally on the same level as other areas in the
country.
(Future challenges)
・It is necessary to aim at completing the development of farmlands affectedby the earthquake and tsunami and provide assistance for the resumption offarming in Fukushima Prefecture, in particular, where recovery is delayed.
・Activities to restore sales channels must be implemented to promote therecovery of fishery catches and sales in the fishery processing industry, a coreindustry in areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・It is important to take measures to support businesses affected by the disasterto recover from damage caused by the loss of sales channels, in conjunction
8

with the restoration of damaged infrastructure used for production.
・In addition to actions to restore industries, support measures must be taken

to help advance the development of production areas, such as largepartitioning of agricultural land, introducing cutting-edge production
technologies, and converting to high value-added crops.

(4) Reconstruction and renewal from nuclear disaster①
Solutions of accident (decommissioning, contaminated water
management)(Results)
・After achieving a cold shutdown state in reactors at TEPCO’s Fukushima

Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the removal of fuel from the spent fuel poolhas partially been completed based on the Mid- and Long-Term Roadmap,11
and preparation work to start the removal of the remaining fuel is moving
forward. Internal investigations are being conducted on starting the removalof fuel debris.
(Future challenges)
・Work should be implemented steadily with the top priority on safety basedon the Mid- and Long-Term Roadmap while communication is strengthened
with local communities. Research and development should also be promoted
based on the needs of decommissioning sites.
・Comprehensive discussions should be conducted on how to handle water
purified by multi-nuclide removal equipment (Advanced Liquid Processing
System/ALPS) by the Sub-committee on Handling ALPS Treated Water,
including social considerations, such as reputational damage, to allow thegovernment to draw evidence-based conclusions. It is also important tocontinue to disseminate and disclose accurate information based on scientificevidence in Japan and overseas.
(Lessons for future decommissioning)
・Flexible reviews should be conducted in response to newly discovered events,

such as the addition of safety measures and changes to the content of work,
based on risks that may occur.
・It is important to improve the technical skill level of workers and strengthen
the management capacity of TEPCO, in light of the voices of local
communities worried about problems resulting from errors and mistakes

Mid-and-Long-Term Roadmap towards the Decommissioning of TEPCO's Fukushima
Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (Revised on September 26, 2017, Inter-Ministerial Council for
Contaminated Water and Decommissioning Issues)

119

during operation.

・It is important to compile and use wisdom from Japan and abroad, such as
by making full use of the knowledge and experience from overseas, in order
to efficiently and effectively promote actions for decommissioning.
・In order to decommission the reactors over the long term, it is essential togain the understanding of the local community and society and enhance
two-way communication with local residents.

② Removal of radioactive materials, etc.
(Results)
・By the end of March 2018, decontamination had been completed in all areasof municipalities, with the exception of areas where return is difficult, basedon the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Handling of Pollution byRadioactive Materials 12 and Basic Guidelines 13 based on this law.
・With the understanding and cooperation of Fukushima Prefecture, Okuma
Town, Futaba Town and other stakeholders, interim storage facilities to whichremoved soil that have been temporarily installed in Fukushima Prefecture istransported are being developed with approximately 70% of the landacquired and about one-third of the amount of soil transported. 14 Progresshas also been made in restoring temporary storage sites to their original
conditions and returning land. The transfer of specified waste to landfill
facilities in Fukushima Prefecture is also being promoted, with about 30% of
the target volume transferred. 15(Future challenges)
・In light of the damage caused by Typhoon Hagibis in 2019, temporary storagesites shall be properly and thoroughly managed in anticipation of disasters
in the future.
・Continuing to safely and quickly transport removed soil temporarily stored in

Act on Special Measures concerning the Handling of Environment Pollution byRadioactive Materials Discharged by the Nuclear Power Station Accident Associated with
the Tohoku District – Off the Pacific Ocean Earthquake Occurred on March 11, 2011 (Act No.
110 of 2011)13
Basic Guidelines Based on the Act on Special Measures concerning the Handling ofEnvironment Pollution by Radioactive Materials Discharged by the Nuclear Power Station
Accident Associated with the Tohoku District – Off the Pacific Ocean Earthquake Occurredon March 11, 2011 (Cabinet decision, November 11, 2011)14
Target transported volume: Approximately 14 million m3, completed: Approx. 5.025
million m3 (as of November 30, 2019)15
Transported in: Approx. 102,000 bags (as of November 30, 2019)1210

Fukushima Prefecture (excluding areas where return is difficult) to interim
storage facilities and promote the prompt removal of this soil from temporarystorage sites. It is necessary to restore temporary storage sites to their
original conditions once stored soil is removed and promote measures toresume farming. The national government must be responsible in following
laws on the final disposal of removed soil in Fukushima Prefecture stipulatingthat necessary measures must be taken to complete the final disposal of soil
outside Fukushima Prefecture within 30 years from the start of interim
storage. 16 To achieve final disposal of soil outside of the prefecture, it will benecessary for the national government to work together to promote thereduction and recycling of the volume of soil in order to reduce the amountof waste sent to final disposal. It is necessary to confirm safety throughdemonstration projects when promoting volume reduction and recycling andto create an environment of understanding on the necessity of recycling andreuse, as well as safety concerning radiation. Measures for the disposal of soil
removed from areas outside of Fukushima Prefecture are also needed.
・ Information about the safety of landfill projects should continue to bedisseminated and specific waste transported from within Fukushima
Prefecture to landfill facilities. It is also important for measures to bepromoted to reduce the amount of specified waste from areas outside of
Fukushima Prefecture and for each local government to take precise andcareful measures.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・Collaboration and coordination with related organizations is key to promoting

activities with the understanding of residents and other stakeholders. To gain
understanding, it is important not only to disseminate information, but toalso deepen trust and understanding through information-based dialogue
with local communities to build good relationships with residents andpromote projects.

③ Expansion of efforts for lifting evacuation orders and for return, etc.
(Results)
・Evacuation orders put into place after the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear

Power Station accident have been lifted sequentially since 2014. Withevacuation orders issued for Okuma Town removed in April 2019, evacuation

Act on Interim Storage and Japan Environmental Storage & Safety Corporation (Act No.
44 of 2003)
16

11

orders have been lifted in most areas with the exception of areas where returnis difficult. In areas where evacuation orders have been lifted, there has been
progress in improving living conditions to allow residents to return home withthe support of the Fukushima Revitalization Acceleration Subsidy Programand other incentive systems. As a result of these actions, the number of
evacuees from Fukushima Prefecture, which was approximately 165,000 at its
highest, has declined to about 42,000. 17 The number of residents in all areas
where evacuation orders have been lifted has gradually increased fromapproximately 4,000 in April 2017 (approximately 75,000 registrants in basic
resident registers) to approximately 9,000 in April 2018 (approximately 73,000
in basic registers), and approximately 13,000 in November 2019
(approximately 70,000 in basic registers).
・Demolition and decontamination of houses and other infrastructure started

in areas designated as Specified Reconstruction and Revitalization Bases(SRRB) in six towns and villages, 18 with the aim of lifting evacuation orders
around each station in the base area in line with the opening of all JR Jobanlines scheduled for completion by the end of FY 2019, as well as lifting
evacuation orders for the entire base area by the spring of 2023.
・However, as some evacuees are spending a prolonged period in evacuation
shelters and housing, 26 livelihood reconstruction support bases have been
set up nationwide providing information and consultation support. In
addition, various types of support measures have been implemented under
the Children and Victims Support Act, 19 including easing income
requirements to allow people to move into public housing.
(Future challenges)
・It is necessary to make further efforts to make the necessary improvements

to the environment to allow residents to return home and to promote
relocation from outside the region, as well as expand the number of visitors
and related populations.
・ It is necessary to demolish and decontaminate houses and restore
infrastructure with the aim of lifting evacuation orders in SRRBs in six towns
and villages, as well as promote measures to counter damage from wildlife
and improve the living environment. The situations of local governments in

As of November 2019
Futaba Town, Okuma Town, Namie Town, Tomioka Town, Iitate Village, Katsurao Village
19
Act on Promotion of Support Measures for the Lives of Disaster Victims to Protect andSupport Children and Other Residents Suffering Damage due to Tokyo Electric Power
Company's Nuclear Accident (Act No. 48 of 2012)
17
18

12

areas where return is difficult are all very different, so it is necessary to
promote activities through individual and detailed discussions with towns andvillages on issues pertaining to help needed for residents to return home andlive in areas where evacuation orders have been lifted and SRRBs.
・Measures should also be considered to resolve issues in areas where returnis difficult based on the resolution to "lift evacuation orders for all these areasin the future, even if it takes years, and take responsibility for reconstruction
and revitalization”. For this reason, it is necessary to consider measures forareas other than SRRBs where return is difficult, including how land can beused, based on actual situations and opinions of each local government.
・Detailed support must continue to be provided to evacuees from areas

affected by the nuclear disaster, taking into account the prolonged life as
evacuees and status of the areas(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・It is important to develop networks between stakeholders, such as local

governments and private organizations like NPOs during normal times inorder to ensure the smooth development of systems after a disaster.
・In cases where affected people are evacuated over a wide area because of alarge-scale disaster, recent initiatives to provide evacuees with informationand develop nationwide consultation systems will be of reference.

④ Industrial clusters based on the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework(Results)
・Based on the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework, 20 which aims to create

a new industrial base in the Hamadori area of Fukushima Prefecture, there
has been progress in the development of bases for decommissioning,
robotics, and energy, which is contributing to the creation of new industries,
formation of core industries that can replace nuclear power-relatedindustries, and the development of educational and human resources.
・In addition, Fukushima has accelerated the advancement of companies into
disaster-affected areas through the creation of industrial parks and provision

Framework aiming at the establishment of a new industrial base in the Hamadori area of
Fukushima Prefecture to restore industries and employment in areas destroyed by the Great
East Japan Earthquake and nuclear disaster.
A report was compiled in June 2014 by the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework Study
Group. The framework was clearly stated in the 2017 revision of the Act on Special
Measures for the Reconstruction and Revitalization of Fukushima. A priority plan to achieve
the objectives of the framework was formulated by Fukushima Prefecture, which wascertified by the Prime Minister in April 2018.
20

13

of subsidies for the relocation of companies with the Fukushima
Revitalization Acceleration Subsidy Program. Gross prefectural domestic
product in Fukushima has also recovered to pre-earthquake levels.
(Future challenges)
・Based on the blueprint for industrial development 21 set in the Fukushima

Innovation Coast Framework, it will be important both to develop new
businesses and expand new trades by local businesses and to attract
companies and investors from outside the region, with the aim of achieving
independent and sustainable industrial development in the Hamadori area of
Fukushima.
・The challenge will be to create an international educational and research basewhere people from around Japan and abroad gather to promote thereconstruction and revitalization of the Hamadori area in Fukushima(increasing the permanent population, etc.), cross-disciplinary research andcreation of new industries through collaboration among industries, academia
and government, sustainable development of human resources, andpromoting Fukushima reconstruction research clusters and dissemination of
information to the rest of the world.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・It is remarkably difficult to restore industries to their original state after acomplex large-scale disaster. In addition to support for helping residents
return to their homes and to revive businesses, it is necessary to help business
operators affected by the disaster resume business activities and create newindustries by attracting companies and investors from outside the region.

⑤ Reconstruction of businesses and agricultural, forestry and fishery industries(Results)
・ The Fukushima Soso Public-Private Joint Reconstruction Team, 22 which

Summary of the region’s image of independent and sustainable industrial developmentfrom a medium- to long-term and wide-area perspective and the direction of activities tobe promoted by the national government, Fukushima Prefecture, municipalities and relatedorganizations to achieve that aim based on the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework(Ministry of the Economy, Trade and Industry, Reconstruction Agency, Fukushima
Prefecture, December 2019)22
Established in August 2015 as an entity consisting of the national government,
Fukushima Prefecture and the private sector to provide support measures to help
businesses affected by the accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station
become independent, based on the revised "For Accelerating the Reconstruction of
Fukushima from the Nuclear Disaster" (Cabinet decision, June 12, 2015).
21

14

consists of the national government, Fukushima Prefecture and the private
sector, provides detailed and individualized support through private visits tobusinesses and farmers. Approximately 2,700 businesses 23 have continued
or resumed business activities in local areas or at evacuation sites, with
agricultural activities resumed by about 350 farmers. 24
・Farmland in 12 municipalities 25 affected by the nuclear disaster has been
completely decontaminated, with the exception of areas where return isdifficult.
・Restoration work has been completed at most fishing ports in Fukushima
Prefecture.
(Future challenges)
・To date, steady support has been provided for businesses and farmers, but

the situation of the reconstruction of businesses and livelihoods in eachaffected area varies depending on the cancellation status of evacuation
orders and other conditions. For this reason, it is necessary to continue
providing detailed support to businesses and farmers and assistance forwide-area urban development through the Fukushima Soso Public-Private
Joint Reconstruction Team.
・In the agricultural sector, farming has resumed in less than 30% of the 12

municipalities affected by the nuclear disaster. It is necessary to continue toencourage the resumption of farming by providing assistance to farmers
affected by the disaster, improving farmland and agricultural facilities,
introducing agricultural machinery and livestock, and introducing measures
for radioactive materials in ponds and other water sources, as well as tocounter damage by wildlife. In addition to this, it is necessary to accelerate
the resumption of farming by promoting the large-partitioning andintegrated use of agricultural land, including entry from outside businesses,
creation of wide-area, high value-added industries and development of sixth
industry facilities (production, processing and distribution/sales) with the aimof achieving large-scale farming with extremely high labor productivity
utilizing the latest technology.
・In the forestry and the forestry industry sector, forest management must be
integrated with countermeasures for radioactive materials, production areas

As of December 2019
As of December 201825
Tamura City, Minamisoma City, Kawamata Town, Hirono Town, Naraha Town, Tomioka
Town, Kawauchi Village, Okuma Town, Futaba Town, Namie Town, Katsurao Village, Iitate
Village
23
24

15

for unprocessed forests and special forest products should be restored, awood product safety certification system must be established, the effective
use of bark should be promoted, and appropriate measures should be
implemented based on the results of satoyama restoration model projects,
so that forests and the forest industry, which have been impacted byradioactive materials, can be regenerated.
・In the fisheries sector, since volume of landings by coastal fisheries andoffshore trawlnet fisheries in Fukushima Prefecture, where test operations arecontinuing, are only at 15% of that before the earthquake, it is necessary to
promote activities to resume full-scale operations by increasing fisherycatches and developing sales channels based on the results of monitoringand inspections of radioactive materials in marine products and thesurrounding sea areas. Sales channels must be recovered and newly
developed in the fishery processing industry.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・It is important to provide detailed support for the reconstruction of businesses
and livelihoods through individual visits according to the diverse needs ofindividual businesses.

⑥ Measures to dispel harmful rumors and risk communication(Results)
・ Price differences between products from Fukushima Prefecture and thenational average are gradually narrowing as a result of the dissemination of
information based on the Guidelines to Strengthen Measures against
Negative Reputations 26 and Strategy for Eliminating Impacts from Negative
Reputations and Enhancing Risk Communication. 27 In a survey on consumer
attitudes, 28 the percentage of people who cite radioactive materials as thereason for their hesitation to purchase products from Fukushima Prefectureis on a downward trend.
・Import restrictions were initially enforced in 54 countries and regions. Since
then, 33 countries and regions have lifted restrictions, while 19 countries andJune 23, 2014, formulated by the Task Force on the Nuclear Disaster’s Influence Including
the Negative Reputation Impact
27
December 12, 2017, formulated by the Task Force on the Nuclear Disaster’s Influence
Including the Negative Reputation Impact
28
Survey on consumer attitudes regarding damage from harmful rumors or misinformation(12th) (Consumer Affairs Agency)
26

16

regions have eased import restrictions. 29(Future challenges)
・ Measures must be promoted to address persistent harmful rumors or

misinformation about the agricultural, forestry and fishery industries in eachstage of production, distribution and sales to effectively disseminate
information on the status of reconstruction and scientific knowledge onradiation, improve the brand power of agricultural, forestry and fisheryproducts, and expand sales channels.
・In addition to our gratitude for the support received from around the world,

it is important to disseminate information through the 2020 Tokyo Olympic
and Paralympic Games to people from around the world on the organizationof competitions and events in disaster-affected areas that are continuing toreconstruct, the Torch Relay that will start in J-Village in Fukushima, andefforts to use food and materials produced in areas affected by the disaster.
・ Import control measures are still in place in 21 countries and regions.

Measures must be taken to dispel harmful rumors or misinformation overseas.
・ Actions must be taken to provide appropriate health management andeliminate the health concerns of affected people.
・ It is necessary to encourage the further use of a revised edition of theradiation supplementary reader at schools based on the results of a followup survey on the status of its utilization compiled in FY 2019.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・Using a diverse mixture of media, information must be actively disseminatednot only in Japan, but overseas as well.

(5) Creation of “New Tohoku” and collaboration with diverse entities① Creation of “New Tohoku”(Results)
・Based on the fact that the areas affected by the disaster can be likened to“advanced areas in challenges”, it is not simply a matter of restoring the area
to its original state, but also solving issues facing all areas in Japan, such as
population decline and the hollowing out of industry, thereby creating a “NewTohoku” as a model for Japan and the rest of the world. Model cases are being
developed that can lead to solutions to regional issues, such as the formationof communities, and revival of industries and livelihoods in line with thecharacteristics of the region by maximizing the use of human resources and29

As of December 201917

know-how from the private sector and engaging in model projects,
collaboration through the provision of spaces for business matching, such as“Yuinoba”, and dispatching experts.
(Future challenges)
・ It is important to create an environment where the entities in disaster-affected areas who are involved in disseminating and developing thecollective know-how to address regional issues can utilize regional
revitalization measures to carry out sustainable activities.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・It is important to create an environment where diverse entities, including local
governments, private organizations and residents from both inside andoutside the areas affected by the disaster, can share and use their knowledge
and experiences and set up an environment in which various entities can
carry out community-based activities and easily cooperate with one anotherin times of peace.

② Collaboration with volunteers, NPOs and various entities(Results)
・ NPOs, volunteers, companies, universities and other entities havedemonstrated their strengths at each stage of revitalization andreconstruction and implemented projects in collaboration with government
agencies in a wide range of fields, including the revitalization of industries,
restoration of towns, and support to rebuild communities.
(Future challenges)
・ The progress of reconstruction and regional and individual issues arediversifying, which requires a detailed understanding of needs and actions.
There continues to be high expectations of actions and roles played bygroups, such as NPOs and volunteers. To this end, sustainable local
communities must be created by utilizing the policies of the entire
government, including for regional revitalization, while making the most of
know-how and connections with various entities that have been developed
throughout the reconstruction period. In the future, it will be important tocreate an environment where private organizations can carry out
independent and sustainable activities.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・A cooperative system must be developed between stakeholders in times ofpeace, such as collecting and organizing knowledge about the Great East
Japan Earthquake, training and developing related organizations, and18

developing a system to accept volunteers, in order to promote communitybased mutual assistance and cooperation.
(6) Dissemination of the image of reconstruction and passing on the memories of
the Great East Japan Earthquake and lessons learned to future generations(Results)
・Japan expressed its gratitude for the support received from around the worldand broadcast images of the disaster-affected areas that are being
reconstructed to the world through the Rugby World Cup 2019 with matches
held in Kamaishi City in Iwate Prefecture in September 2019.
・Japan promoted actions, such as the dissemination of information, throughopportunities to exchange ideas and opinions with ambassadors to Japan andat various international conferences, such as the G20 Osaka Summit held in
June 2019, as well as through visits by embassy officials in Tokyo and media
from overseas to disaster-affected areas, with an eye on the 2020 Tokyo
Olympic and Paralympic Games.
・ State-run memorial and prayer facilities are being constructed in Iwate,

Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, with some ready for use in Iwate
Prefecture, to remember and pray for the repose of souls of the victims, andpass on the memories and lessons learned from the Great East Japan
Earthquake to future generations.
(Future challenges)
・It is necessary to develop a response to harmful rumors or misinformation
persisting in the agricultural, forestry and fishery industries, as well as thetourism industry, and take measures to counter reputational damage
overseas through the effective dissemination of information on the status ofreconstruction and scientific knowledge about radiation.
・There is a need to start using state-run memorial and prayer facilities in Iwate

and Miyagi prefectures around the end of fiscal 2020 and promote theconstruction of facilities in Fukushima Prefecture with an eye to start using
some facilities in fiscal 2020.
・It is necessary to promote the integration and compilation of actions taken
in all aspects of reconstruction, including reconstruction techniques andmethods, through the collection, organization and preservation of records
from the Great East Japan Earthquake and reconstruction by the national andlocal governments.
・ As disasters have frequently occurred in different areas throughout thecountry since the Great East Japan Earthquake, efforts must be made to19enhance education on disaster prevention in order to connect the valuablelessons learned and know-how from the Great East Japan Earthquake withimproving disaster prevention efforts nationwide.
・In addition to our gratitude for the support received from around the world,
it is important to disseminate information through the 2020 Tokyo Olympic
and Paralympic Games to people from around the world on the organizationof competitions and events in disaster-affected areas that are continuing toreconstruct, the Torch Relay that will start in J-Village in Fukushima, andefforts to use food and materials produced in areas affected by the disaster.

2. Systems to support reconstruction(1) Scale and financial resources for recovery and reconstruction projects(Results)
・With the formulation of the “Reconstruction Financial Resources Framework”,
financial resources were secured in advance and the Special Account for
Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake was established,indicating the scale of projects during the reconstruction period.
Unprecedented levels of financial support were provided, including reducing
the burden on local governments by raising subsidy rates for reconstruction
projects and offering the Special Local Allocation Tax for Recovery from
Earthquake Disaster. This allowed local governments in disaster-affectedareas to calmly work on reconstruction projects, which also helped toaccelerate the pace of reconstruction.
(Future challenges)
・Even after the Reconstruction and Revitalization period, it will be necessary toconsider what mechanisms are required to support reconstruction efforts, sothat necessary projects can be arranged and implemented, based onverifications of the progress and effectiveness of past reconstruction
measures, demands from local governments in areas affected by the disaster,
appropriate roles of the national and local governments, and examples ofactions taken in large-scale disasters in the past.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・In looking at the examples of the Great East Japan Earthquake, it is necessary
to consider appropriate levels of financial support for recovery andreconstruction measures for large-scale disasters in the future.
20

・ Discussions should continue on ways to secure financial resources in

preparation for a large-scale disaster in the future, such as the Nankai Troughearthquake.

(2) Legal systems① Act on Special Zones for Reconstruction in Response to the Great East
Japan Earthquake(Results)
・The enactment of the Act on Special Zones for Reconstruction in Responseto the Great East Japan Earthquake 30 has made it possible for local
governments in areas affected by the disaster to select and apply special
cases that match their situation and direction for reconstruction. As a result,the use of special measures positioned in plans have contributed to thesmooth and quick promotion of reconstruction projects.
・Almost all local governments are expected to complete plans for the Great
East Japan Earthquake Reconstruction Grant Funded Project.
(Future challenges)
・It is necessary to consider how to focus on target areas, taking into accountthe status of past reconstruction and prospects for required projects in regard
to special regulatory cases, reconstruction and development plans, andspecial financial cases.
・With regard to tax systems for special zones for reconstruction, with theremarkable decline in population and workplaces, time is needed to improvebasic infrastructure through land readjustment projects in areas that haveexperienced massive damage from the tsunami. As there will be areas wherecompanies will not relocate, it will be necessary to consider extending
application deadlines for tax systems for special zones for reconstruction
after prioritizing target areas, so that areas that have been severely damaged
can continue to steadily work on its industrial revitalization.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・It is effective to consider systems according to the scale and type of disaster,
damage status, and regional characteristics. Of the measures available, thosethat have not adequately been leveraged should be examined, and timely
and appropriate reviews must be made based on the different stages ofprogress of reconstruction in different areas.

30

Act No. 122 of 201121

② Act on Special Measures for the Reconstruction and Revitalization of
Fukushima(Results)
・The enactment of the Act on Special Measures for the Reconstruction andRevitalization of Fukushima 31 and revision of the same act in accordance with theprogress of reconstruction efforts established a basic policy and institutional basespecifically for reconstruction from the nuclear disaster. This has contributed to
the reconstruction and revitalization of Fukushima, including the improvement of
the living environment to help residents return home, promotion of thedevelopment of SRRBs, reconstruction and revitalization of industries through thepromotion of the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework, and promotion ofefforts to eliminate harmful rumors or misinformation.
(Future challenges)
・In addition to measures to improve the living environment to allow residents

to return home based on the Act on Special Measures for the Reconstruction andRevitalization of Fukushima, it is necessary to carry out further reconstruction andrevitalization in the area by strengthening measures to encourage new vitality,
such as promoting relocation and increasing the visiting population and related
populations.
・ It is necessary to accelerate the resumption of farming through theconcentrated use of farmland and promoting the development of sixth industry
facilities (production, processing and distribution/sales), including entry from theoutside, in addition to all activities that have been carried out to date in the
agricultural sector.
・It is necessary to further accelerate the development of industrial clusters andtrain human resources based on the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework.
・ Measure should be promoted to counter persistent harmful rumors or
misinformation in Japan and overseas.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・Because of the specificities of the nuclear disaster, a new law specific toreconstruction from the nuclear disaster was enacted and revised in accordancewith the progress of reconstruction efforts, allowing the national government toestablish a basic policy and institutional foundation.
Should a large-scale disaster occur in the future, it will be necessary toconsider the establishment of a system that is in line with the scale and type ofdisaster, damage status and local characteristics.

31

Act No. 25 of 201222

③ Act on Corporation for Revitalizing Earthquake-Affected Businesses, other(Results)
・Support was provided to revive business activities of companies affected by

the disaster using double loan measures, such as factoring transactions by
the Corporation for Revitalizing Earthquake-Affected Business and theIndustrial Reconstruction Corporations that were established based on the
Act on Corporation for Revitalizing Earthquake-affected Businesses, 32 which
helped maintain a significant level of employment.
(Future challenges)
・It will be necessary to make the maximum use of the period until the end of

fiscal 2020, which marks the deadline for decisions on support for double loan
measures by the Corporation for Revitalizing Earthquake-Affected Business,and make sure that support measures are well-known, and as many
companies as possible make every effort to utilize this system.
・Both organizations will provide assistance to businesses that are currently

receiving support until project revitalization plans are complete.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・Support activities by both organizations will be helpful in cases with double
loan measures in the event of a large-scale disaster in the future.
・It is important to establish a system that enables cooperation at an early stage
with third parties similar to the Fukushima Soso Public-Private Joint
Reconstruction Team, as well as information sharing and close cooperation
with financial institutions.

(3) Local government support(Results)
・Many small-scale, poorly-financed local governments were affected by theGreat East Japan Earthquake. Financial support through the Special Local
Allocation Tax for Recovery from Earthquake Disasters and measures
implemented to secure human resources through the dispatch of support
staff from local governments throughout the country to local governments inareas affected by the disaster contributed to the smooth implementation ofrevitalization and reconstruction projects by local governments in thedisaster-affected areas (Number of staff dispatched to Iwate, Miyagi and
Fukushima prefectures was highest in fiscal 2014 at approximately 1,700 and

32

Act No. 113 of 201123

about 900 in fiscal 2019. The highest number of staff dispatched tomunicipalities in the three prefectures stood at 2,500 in fiscal 2015 and 2,000
in fiscal 2019).
(Future challenges)
・ In order to ensure that projects that require support even after the

Reconstruction and Revitalization period can be implemented, it is necessary
to consider ways to assist local governments with mechanisms to support
reconstruction, such as with the Special Local Allocation Tax for Recovery from
Earthquake Disasters and measures to secure human resources.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・ Even in the event of a large-scale disaster after the Great East Japan

Earthquake, the mid- to long-term scheme in which local governments
throughout the country dispatch support staff to areas affected by thedisaster functions effectively. It is necessary to examine the scale and type ofdisaster and consider and implement appropriate levels of support withreference to this example of support for large-scale disasters in the future.
・In addition to preparing for a large-scale disaster in the future, it is necessary
to work to secure and train technical staff in each local government from theperspective of continuous maintenance and management of infrastructure
under normal conditions. It is important to establish a system that takes into
account all matters from emergency measures to reconstruction in the eventof a large-scale disaster in the future, by securing staff in advance.

3. Organizations(Results)
・The Reconstruction Agency was established under the direct jurisdiction of

the Cabinet Office in February 2012 and charged with conducting
independent and integrated tasks related to reconstruction from the Great
East Japan Earthquake, aiming at the smooth and prompt execution ofprojects. With the Prime Minister serving as the competent minister of the
Agency, and the appointment of the Minister of Reconstruction to assist thecompetent minister and oversee the affairs of the Reconstruction Agency, thegovernment is working together to create a system for reconstruction, makedecisions quickly and play a role in promoting the reconstruction from theGreat East Japan Earthquake. Specifically, the Reconstruction Agency is
responsible for planning, drafting and comprehensive coordination ofreconstruction measures, integrating and supervising projects by related
ministries and agencies, consolidating requests and securing budgets for24

reconstruction projects. With the establishment of reconstruction bureaus in
Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures as a point of contact with local
governments, the Reconstruction Agency is promoting one-stop measures
for reconstruction.
(Future challenges)
・”Changes to the Basic Guidelines for Reconstruction from the Great East Japan

Earthquake in the Reconstruction and Revitalization Period” has been
decided that the government continues to decompartmentalize ministries
and agencies by functioning as a command tower and to establish anorganization to achieve reconstruction under political responsibility andleadership. It is necessary to consider the development of a successor
institution while listening to the opinions of local governments in areas
affected by the disaster.
・It is necessary to consider where each reconstruction bureau is located, taking

into account the status of reconstruction projects in disaster-affected areas.
(Lessons for future large-scale disasters)
・It is important for the Reconstruction Agency to share and utilize the know-how on reconstruction gained to date with related governmentalorganizations in order to achieve an organic connection between disasterprevention and reconstruction.

25

II. Basic Guidelines After the “Reconstruction and Revitalization Period”
As a result of reconstruction efforts to date, areas affected by the earthquake
and tsunami are now in the final stages of reconstruction. In addition, althoughareas affected by the nuclear disaster are entering the full-scale reconstruction
and revitalization stage, a medium- to long-term response is needed in the
future, with the national government continuing to stand at the fore. There are
significant differences in the progress of reconstruction between areas affectedby the earthquake and tsunami and those affected by the nuclear disaster.
Therefore, the areas have been divided into two types, with basic guidelines forreconstruction after the Reconstruction and Revitalization Period shown below.
1. Basic stance of reconstruction and actions in each sector(1) Areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami
Reconstruction in these areas has entered into the final stages, with therestoration of towns and housing mostly completed and the steady progressof revitalizing industries and livelihoods. However, there are still someprojects that will require a constant level of support in the future, including
support for affected people, such as mental health care, so the national
government shall steadily promote detailed actions with the aim ofcompleting revitalization and reconstruction projects as early as possible.
Through these activities, in disaster-affected areas that are “advanced
areas in challenges” with medium- to long-term issues common to regions
around the country, such as population decline and hollowing out ofindustries, it is desirable not only to aim to “help people return to cities,” butalso to create an attractive area—“New Tohoku”—by introducing advanced
technologies and promoting the use of local resources to promote industry,
livelihoods, education and research, and increasing the visiting population,
related populations and number of people relocating to the area, aiming forindependence in disaster-affected areas. In doing so, communities shall berebuilt and become sustainable and vibrant by maximizing the connections
and know-how of NPOs, volunteers, businesses, universities and othervarious entities that have been developed over the reconstruction period, as
well as their diverse perspectives on gender equality, in addition to
infrastructure strengthened through revitalization and reconstruction
projects, and by utilizing the policies of the entire government, including26

those for regional revitalization.
For this reason, most of the projects, mainly the development of public
infrastructure, are expected to conclude during the Reconstruction andRevitalization period according to “I. Summary of Past Reconstruction
Measures”, in promoting reconstruction after this period in areas affected by
the earthquake and tsunami. Based on examples of activities in past largescale disasters and the status of support through general measures, thenational government and local governments in the affected area shallcontinue to work together for five years after the Reconstruction andRevitalization period on remaining projects, including providing support for
affected people, with the aim of having reconstruction projects fulfill theirobjectives.
① Infrastructure projects
・Infrastructure projects, such as the construction of public facilities, shall becompleted as soon as possible during the Reconstruction and Revitalization
period. However, some projects that have not been completed during thisperiod due to unanticipated situations, such as coordination with related
construction projects, shall continue to be supported within the budget
allocated during the Reconstruction and Revitalization period.
However, disaster recovery projects that will not have been completed
during this period should be promptly completed to ensure the safety andsecurity of local residents. Support shall continue to be provided during thisperiod until projects are completed, even after the Reconstruction andRevitalization period.
・Projects subsidized by the Great East Japan Earthquake Reconstruction Grants(hereinafter referred to as the “reconstruction grants”) are expected to bemostly completed within the Reconstruction and Revitalization period. The
reconstruction grants will be discontinued at the end of the Reconstruction
and Revitalization period once necessary measures have been taken to
ensure that reconstruction grants projects have effectively concluded.
・Infrastructure projects subsidized by the General Social Capital Development
Grants and implemented as reconstruction measures other than disasterrecovery projects and reconstruction grants projects, will be terminated at
the end of the Reconstruction and Revitalization period. Projects that are notcompleted during this period shall be shifted to general measures andcontinued to be implemented.

27

② Support for affected people, such as mental health care, etc.
・Support shall continue to be provided in line with the progress of projects

through general grants for affected people, based on past examples ofmeasures taken in large-scale disasters, because support must continue tobe provided for community development in areas that were rebuilt at theend of the Reconstruction and Revitalization period, the physical and mental
care of affected people, including the elderly who require care due to theimpacts from the Great East Japan Earthquake, “metal recovery” to create apurpose in life, watching over and lifestyle consultations, and assistance forchildren who have lost their parents or guardians due to the Great East Japan
Earthquake.
In addition, appropriate methods of support should be considered for
consultations and support measures at mental health centers based on
actual conditions.
With careful understanding of individual circumstances, methods ofsupport for projects that will not be completed within five years after the
Reconstruction and Revitalization period shall be considered in line with theprogress of the project and responses taken accordingly.
・Disaster condolence money and disaster relief funds shall continue to beprovided until the end of support after properly notifying those eligible forsupport.

③ Support for children affected by the disaster・ As there are still schools where a certain number of children who have losttheir family members and homes because of the Great East Japan Earthquake
and need learning support and mental health care continue to attend school,support shall continue to be provided according to the progress of projects,
such as for children who need assistance, with the additional allocation ofteachers and placement of school counselors and support for attending
school, all special measures that have been taken in light of the effects of theGreat East Japan Earthquake, based on past examples of large-scale disasters.
With careful understanding of individual circumstances, methods ofsupport for projects that will not be completed within five years after the
Reconstruction and Revitalization period shall be considered in line with theprogress of the project and responses taken accordingly.

④ Reconstruction of homes and cities
・During the Reconstruction and Revitalization period, the aim is to discontinue
28

living in temporary housing, but if demolition and removal of these housing
is not completed after the end of the period in which temporary housing isprovided, support shall continue to be provided, with the aim to complete
the project as soon as possible.
・Payment of Support Grants for Reconstructing Livelihoods of Disaster Victims

is expected to be mostly completed during the Reconstruction andRevitalization period in areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami.
However, it is possible that some payments may not be completed by theend of the Reconstruction and Revitalization period in areas where residential
land has been rebuilt at the end of this period. Support shall continue to beprovided until the end of support after properly notifying those eligible forsupport.
・Support shall continue to be provided for projects to lower rent and special

projects to reduce rent for public housing for disaster-affected people afterreconstruction subsidies are discontinued and supports from pastreconstruction grants shift to other types of assistance. At that time, a review
of appropriate levels of support shall be conducted, taking into account the
future financial management status of public housing for disaster-affected
people in local governments affected by the disaster, past examples ofactions taken in large-scale disasters, appropriate role sharing between thenational and local governments, and fairness among local governments fromdisaster-affected areas with different management start periods.
・The activities of local governments in disaster-affected areas shall continue

to be promoted, such as presenting a future image of the town, sharing
information on vacant land, and matching activities, with an eye on thecreation of a place filled with vitality after the development of residential landthrough land readjustment projects. In addition, the efforts of local
governments affected by the disaster on the utilization of original relocation
areas that have been acquired by projects promoting collective relocation fordisaster prevention shall continue to be promoted based on the support andachievements that have been made throughout the Reconstruction andRevitalization period, such as the formulation of land use plans, promotion of
the consolidation of public land through tax exemptions for registration andlicensing taxes, and support for infrastructure development for industrial landin line with specific land use needs.

⑤ Industry and livelihoods
・Support shall continue to be provided for rebuilding only SMEs and other29

groups that could not stage a recovery due to reasons not attributable to thecompany, such as in areas where land development required for recovery iscompleted in the last year of the Reconstruction and Revitalization period.
・Based on the status of reconstruction to date, the application and operational

deadline for subsidies on relocating business shall be extended a maximumof four years (until the end of fiscal 2023) and a maximum of five years (until
the end of fiscal 2025), respectively, after focusing on target areas in wherecompanies have not relocated because time is required to improve theenvironment through land readjustment projects, such as in areas where landdevelopment needed for recovery is completed in the final year of theReconstruction and Revitalization period.
・The revitalization of infrastructure in the agricultural, forestry and fisheryindustries, such as farmland and agricultural facilities, wood processing anddistribution facilities, fishing port facilities and fishery processing facilities, is
expected to be mostly completed in areas affected by the earthquake andtsunami. However, the recovery of catches in the fishery industry, a coreindustry in these areas, and recovery of sales in the fishery processing
industry will be issues in the future. For this reason, support shall continue tobe provided, such as the recovery of catches by removing debris from fishingareas and the recovery and development of sales channels for the fisheryprocessing industry after the Reconstruction and Revitalization period.

⑥ Locally independent projects
・ Support shall be provided for locally independent projects, such as

independent disaster recovery projects that were not completed during theReconstruction and Revitalization period and measures to secure humanresources (dispatching staff, recruitment of fixed-term staff, etc.) in order tosupport projects that remain after this period.
・Measures shall be taken to compensate for the reduction in local tax revenue
caused by the Local Taxation Act and the Act on Special Zones for
Reconstruction in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake⑦ Projects arising from the nuclear disaster・Support shall continue to be provided for measures to counter reputational

damage (monitoring and inspections of agricultural, forestry and fisheries
products for radioactive materials) (Individual projects are described in therelevant section on areas affected by the nuclear disaster).

30

(2) Areas affected by the nuclear disasterIn areas affected by the nuclear disaster, reconstruction and revitalization
efforts have begun in earnest, with evacuation orders that were issued in
response to the nuclear accident lifted in areas in 10 municipalities other thanthose where return is difficult, with the exception of Futaba Town. 33 In areas
where return is difficult, the development of SRRBs has been progressing
steadily in six towns and villages, and efforts are being made to lift
evacuation orders in phases. However, in areas where return is difficult, thegovernment will work steadily, step-by-step from where it is possible to workon reconstructing these areas as soon as possible, based on the resolution
to "lift evacuation orders for all these areas in the future, even if it takes years,
and take responsibility for reconstruction and revitalization”.
Medium- to long-term response is needed for the reconstruction andrevitalization of Fukushima, and the national government shall continue totake the lead even after the Reconstruction and Revitalization period. In lightof this situation, actions shall be taken for the next 10 years toward full-scalereconstruction and revitalization, with detailed responses to new challenges
and diverse needs that arise when moving onto a new stage ofreconstruction. Specifically, in addition to common matters with areas
affected by the earthquake and tsunami, activities shall continue to bepromoted, such as improvements to the living environment in areas where
evacuation orders have been lifted, provision of support for long-term
evacuees, development of SRRBs, promotion of the Fukushima Innovation
Coast Framework, rebuilding of businesses, agriculture, forestry and fisheryindustries, and elimination of harmful rumors or misinformation based on
actual local conditions and the special characteristics of each area(acceptance of interim storage facilities, etc.).
In addition, the overall status of reconstruction projects shall be reviewed
in fiscal 2025, five years after the end of the Reconstruction and Revitalization
period, taking into account the situations of local governments that differ
significantly from one another and based on the progress of reconstruction
measures and verification of effects.
①

Solutionsofaccident(decommissioning,

contaminatedwater

Evacuation orders are slated to be lifted by the end of fiscal 2019 in Futaba Town in areas
where evacuation orders are ready to be lifted.

33

31

management)

・The national government shall take the lead and utilize the wisdom fromaround Japan and abroad to promote research and development based on
the needs of decommissioning sites and safely and steadily promote
necessary measures by utilizing the results of research and development,with the aim of completing decommissioning in 30 to 40 years, based on themedium- and long-term roadmap for decommissioning and contaminatedwater management at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. In
addition, accurate information shall be promptly disseminated on the
progress of measures and radiation data in an easy-to-understand way, while
promoting the understanding of residents and strengthening trusting
relationships through two-way communication.
・In the future, with reconstruction and revitalization in Fukushima shifting intofull gear, efforts shall be made to achieve both reconstruction anddecommissioning more so than ever, as unprecedented actions, such as theretrieval of fuel debris, will be carried out. Specifically, activities shall be
carried out to reduce risk in early stages to help achieve reconstruction
quickly. Decommissioning shall be promoted steadily taking into accountthat safety should be given top priority with the perspective of ensuringsafety first, rather than being based on a process.

・To ensure that TEPCO, which is responsible for decommissioning, carries out
activities in a reliable manner, measures shall be taken to ensure that leveled
portions in power transmission and distribution, which are regulated rates,
will continue to be allocated for funds required for decommissioning, so that
there will be no barriers to the generation of necessary funds even while
promoting the resilience of the power network from the viewpoint of
securing a stable supply of power in response to disasters.
・ Appropriate measures shall be taken based on discussions at the Subcommittee on Handling ALPS Treated Water on how to handle water purified
by multi-nuclide removal equipment (ALPS) and the opinions of local actors
and other stakeholders.
・In response to the decision on decommissioning the TEPCO Fukushima Daini

Nuclear Power Station, TEPCO shall continue to fully communicate withstakeholders while taking into account the impacts on the local economy tosmoothly and actively promote the decommissioning of reactors. In doing
so, attention shall be focused so the decommissioning process at TEPCO’s
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station will not experience any delays.
・A system shall be developed to train human resources with advanced skills
32

on nuclear power and decommissioning with researchers and engineers in awide range of fields from Japan and overseas that are involved indecommissioning and reconstruction in Fukushima, together with
developing research and development bases with related organizations, suchas universities, to steadily carry out R&D.
② Actions to restore the environment
・By the end of March 2018, decontamination has been completed in allmunicipalities, with the exception of areas where return is difficult, based on
the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Handling of Pollution byRadioactive Materials and basic guidelines based on this act. Temporarystorage sites shall be properly managed as safety is ensured, and themaintenance, continuous transport of waste and appropriate managementof interim storage facilities will be performed.
・Removed soil temporarily stored in Fukushima Prefecture shall be promptlytransferred to interim storage facilities. The transfer of removed soil, with the
exception of soil in areas where return is difficult, shall be completed by fiscal
2021 (in addition, prior to this, the aim was to remove temporary storage sites
from the main roads and close locations by the first half of 2020.) In addition,
since the planned volume of removed soil for transport has increased
significantly compared to the past since 2019, safety shall be thoroughly
ensured during transport. Temporary storage sites where transport iscomplete shall be restored to their original state on the basis of restoration
with feasible, rational ranges and methods.
・ The law on the final disposal of removed soil in Fukushima Prefecture

stipulates that measures be taken to complete final disposal outside of
Fukushima Prefecture within 30 years after the start of interim storage,
therefore, the national government shall be responsible for this. In order toreduce the volume of waste sent to final disposal, it is important for thegovernment to work together to reduce and recycle the removed soil withthe understanding of local communities. Volume reduction technologies
shall be developed and verified in accordance with the Technology
Development Strategy for Volume Reduction and Recycling of Removed Soilfor Interim Storage and its schedule 34 and information shall be disseminatedon the safety of these actions. Efforts shall be made with the government
working together to strengthen cooperation among related ministries and34

Formulated April 2016, revised March 2019 (Ministry of the Environment)

33

agencies to create destinations for recycling. Reviews and investigations shallbe conducted on final disposal sites outside Fukushima Prefecture. In
addition, efforts shall also be made for the disposal of removed soil otherthan in Fukushima.
・ Specified waste in Fukushima Prefecture shall be transported to landfill

facilities utilizing existing managed disposal sites, making absolutely sure toensure safety and security while striving to further secure trust from the local
community. In cooperation with local governments, efforts shall be made toprovide detailed explanations on designated waste other than that from
Fukushima Prefecture to obtain the understanding of local communities so
it can be sent for final disposal. Initiatives shall also be promoted that are
tailored to individual situations with the use of mechanisms, such as
cancelling waste designations. In addition, the disposal of agricultural andforestry waste that fall below standards shall continue to be promoted.

③ Promotion of efforts to help residents return/relocate and reconstruct
livelihoods, etc.
・Improvements to the environment needed for daily life—such as creating
attractive towns and communities, shopping, medical care, nursing care,welfare, education, childcare, transportation, crime prevention, disasterprevention, measures to counter damage by wildlife, and personal dosemanagement to promote the return of residents to their homes and achieve
the reconstruction of areas where evacuation orders have been lifted—shallbe promoted in terms of both infrastructure and services. Necessary
measures shall be taken in line with the actual situations on-site, including
follow-up decontamination and risk communication.
・However, in the nine years that have passed since the disaster, the affectedareas are facing additional challenges, including population decline, aging
and hollowing out of industry. In considering the intentions of residents, it isdifficult to achieve the reconstruction and revitalization of the area simply bypromoting the return of residents to these areas. For this reason, actions shallbe taken to enhance the attractiveness of the region and encourage newvitality to support the reconstruction and revitalization of Fukushima, such as
promoting relocation and increasing the number of visitors and related
populations, in addition to the development of an environment that allows
residents to return home. At the same time, the national, prefectural andmunicipal governments shall cooperate in considering a wide-ranging andsustainable structure for the future on efficient and sustainable operation of34

public services and facilities and responses to regional issues such asmeasures to counter damage by wildlife, prevent crime and mitigate disasters.
・Measures for improving infrastructure and formulating related communities
in municipalities that have accepted evacuees required for the developmentof reconstruction public housing 35 are expected to be mostly completed.
Necessary support shall continue to be provided until this is complete, andthe relocation to permanent housing shall proceed carefully, while confirming
the individual intentions of evacuees who are living in temporary housing.
・Detailed support shall be provided in response to local needs in cooperation

with the prefectural and municipal governments to promote theimprovement and reopening of medical, nursing care and welfare facilities,
secure local medical systems, such as the Futaba Medical Center, securenecessary functions in local areas, such as insufficient medical practices,
secure the management of medical and nursing care facilities after reopening,and secure the employment of medical and nursing care professionals.
・With regard to the development of the educational environment, in addition
to elementary, junior/senior high, and special support schools that have notyet reopened, some schools have only a small number of students after they
have reopened. For this reason, the creation of an attractive educational
environment shall be promoted with support provided for reopening schools,
as well as support for a distinctive type of education to deepen connections
with the community, such as “Furusato Sozogaku (or Hometown Creation
Studies)” at Futaba Future School and reopened schools, and the provision of
support and mental health care for children affected by the disaster inattending school and learning.
Some schools continue to enroll a certain number of children who needsupport for learning and mental health care as a result of the nuclear disaster.
For this reason, in addition to the prevention of bullying someone, including
those children who have evacuated, support shall continue to be provided inline with the progress of projects, including the situation of children who
need assistance, with the additional allocation of teachers and placement ofschool counselors and support for attending school, all special measures thathave been taken in light of the effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
・With regard to support for affected people, such as mental health care,detailed assistance shall continue to be provided in line with the progress ofprojects to affected people who have individual and complex issues due to35

Name of public housing for long-term evacuees from the nuclear disaster35

prolonged life as evacuees. In addition, careful support shall continue to beprovided to evacuees living across the country by local governments both inevacuated areas and in locations where they have evacuated, including theprovision of information and consultations needed to rebuild their lives.
・ Tax exemptions to reduce insurance premiums and service fees (userpayments) for medical and nursing care insurance were put into place in allareas affected by the disaster, including areas affected by the earthquake andtsunami, from after the Great East Japan Earthquake struck until the end of
September 2012. However, since then, special governmental tax exemptions
have continued to be implemented only for residents who lived in areas
under evacuation orders. These measures shall be reviewed appropriatelyfrom the perspective of fairness among the insured, taking into account thefact that reviews are being conducted on tax deductions and exemptions forresidents by local governments, such as those in areas under evacuation
orders, as well as the situations of insurance and financial affairs of local
governments affected by the disaster.
・Relevant ministries, prefectural and municipal governments shall cooperate
in conducting a thorough review of the progress of proposals for the “Future
Vision of Fukushima 12 Municipalities”, 36 which has been formulated from awide-area, medium- to long-term perspective, as of 2020 and shall work tomaterialize and realize these goals.
・With regard to compensation for damage from the nuclear accident, required

measures shall continue to be taken for the smooth implementation ofnecessary and sufficient compensation commensurate with the actual
situation of damages in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Dispute
Reconciliation Committee for Nuclear Damage Compensation. In addition,
the national government shall also guide TEPCO to ensure that sufficientcompensation is provided to affected people.
・With regard to areas where return is difficult, under the resolution to "liftevacuation orders for all these areas in the future, even if it takes years, andtake responsibility for reconstruction and revitalization”, first, demolition anddecontamination of houses and development of infrastructure shall be
implemented in SRRBs in the six municipalities to lift evacuation orders basedon reconstruction and revitalization plans for SRRBs. The living environment,such as shopping, medical and nursing care, shall also be improved, while theCompilation of an expert review meeting on the Future Vision of Fukushima 12
municipalities, on July 30, 2015.
36

36

environment will be improved to allow residents to return home, such as bystrengthening measures to counter damage from wildlife. Necessary
measures shall be taken according to actual local situations, including followup decontamination and risk communication. In addition, the smooth andrapid development of SRRBs shall be supported through the flexible use ofvarious support measures, including the Fukushima Revitalization
Acceleration Subsidy Program.
・ Situations vary greatly for each of the local governments in the six
municipalities with areas where return is difficult. For this reason, individualand detailed discussions shall continue and activities shall be encouraged
with municipalities on issues related to residents returning home and livingin areas where evacuation orders have been lifted, as well as SRRBs.
・In addition, with regard to areas where return is difficult other than SRRBs,
environmental monitoring for radiation and other inspections shall be
implemented reliably and systematically, and results shall be disclosed in aneasy-to-understand way. Based on the actual situation in each area, analysesof the current situation of land use intentions and trends, and requests fromthe local governments, the direction of future policies shall be considered in
the lifting of evacuation orders. In addition, in areas where return is difficult,measures to control deterioration and prevent crime and disasters shall bepromoted taking into account the possibility that evacuation orders willcontinue to remain in place for a certain period of time even after the
Reconstruction and Revitalization period.

④ Industrial clusters based on the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework
・Actions shall be promoted in the Hamadori area of Fukushima to achieve

independent and sustainable industrial development in this area, based on a
blueprint for industrial development founded on the Fukushima Innovation
Coast Framework.
・At that time, it will be important both to promote the development of new

business and the expansion of new trades by local businesses and to attract
companies and investors from outside the region. Initiatives shall bepromoted to cluster industries, focusing on priority areas, such as
decommissioning, robotics, energy, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, as
activities built on the three pillars of an “area where all challenges are
possible”, “local companies in leading roles”, and “human resource
development to support the framework”.
・Based on the issues under the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework to37

date, the reconstruction and revitalization of the Hamadori area in Fukushima(increase in settled population, etc.), creation of new industries throughcross-cutting research and collaboration between industries, academia, andthe government, sustainable development of human resources, the clusteringof research on reconstruction in Fukushima and dissemination of results tothe world shall be promoted with a focus on the above priority areas, while
cooperation is strengthened with related facilities, such as the Fukushima
Robot Test Field. For this reason, the Expert Meeting on the Development ofan International Educational and Research Base in the Fukushima Hamadori
Area is conducting a study on the development of an international
educational and research base by the national government that would bring
together human resources from both Japan and abroad, with the final report
expected sometime during the summer of 2020. The Reconstruction Agency
shall play a central role in coordinating with other related ministries, such as
the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, theMinistry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Economy, Tradeand Industry, and the Ministry of the Environment in a study on thedevelopment of an international educational and research base, while also
taking on the opinions of relevant local governments, industries, andeducational and research institutes, and shall plan to submit a draft report in2020.
・In addition, the economic effects of decommissioning, which is expected totake between 30 and 40 years, shall spread to surrounding areas byimproving the technical capabilities of local companies and expanding thescope of business to a wide range of related industries, so that local
companies can take active part. In addition, the involvement of local
companies shall be promoted not only in decommissioning projects, but ina wide range of other fields.
・In order to promote industries in the Hamadori area of Fukushima, therelocation and establishment of companies that will have a large ripple effecton the region, research, development and demonstrations by various entities,
such as local companies and local governments, and the strategic acquisition
and use of intellectual property shall be promoted. In addition, deregulation
shall be carried out to enhance the region’s competitive edge, and efforts
shall be made to respond to the diverse funding needs of local companies
and establish a collaborative system with related organizations for hands-on
support by experts.
・Support shall continue to be provided for distinctive educational programs at
38

primary and secondary educational institutions, as well as educational andresearch activities by higher educational institutions.
・Research and development and industrial clustering with base facilities, suchas the Fukushima Robot Test Field as the core, and the expansion of theresident population shall be promoted through the use of the base bycompanies. The path to future independent and sustainable management
shall be examined, such as securing income through the expansion of users
in order to achieve stable operation.
・Tax measures shall be examined in response to accelerated activities to cluster

industries in the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework.
・ In order to achieve the goals of the Fukushima Plan for a New Energy
Society, 37 which promotes the entire prefecture of Fukushima as a modelbase that anticipates the new energy society of the future, initiatives shall besteadily promoted to introduce and expand the use of renewable energy,build models to realize a hydrogen society, and create smart communities.
・In order to respond to local needs and aim at a new stage for reconstruction
through measures for decarbonization, resource recycling, and co-existingwith nature, actions under the Fukushima Regeneration: Future Oriented
Project 38 shall be promoted, such as supporting a balance between therestoration of towns and decarbonization, supporting recycling throughpublic-private partnerships, and promoting the Fukushima Green
Reconstruction 39 plan utilizing natural resources in Fukushima Prefecture.

⑤
Reconstruction of businesses and agricultural, forestry and fisheryindustries
・Detailed support shall continue to be provided through the Fukushima Soso

Public-Private Joint Reconstruction Team to individual businesses, farmers
and company founders in the area based on the results of activities by theteam to help rebuild businesses and livelihoods in affected areas. In addition,
support shall be provided for the development of independent commercial
facilities that form the basis for lifestyles and economic activities in disaster-Plan aiming to create a model in Fukushima for producing, storing, transporting andusing hydrogen from renewable energy to realize a new energy society for the future while
maximizing the introduction and expansion of renewable energy (formulated by the Council
for Realizing the Fukushima Plan for a New Energy Society, September 7, 2016)38
Fukushima Regeneration: Future Oriented Project (announced by the Ministry of theEnvironment, August 3, 2018)39
Fukushima Green Reconstruction Plan (announced by the Ministry of the Environment
and Fukushima Prefecture, April 22, 2019)37

39

affected areas and the creation and operation of companies involved incommunity development that are responsible for revitalizing the local
economy, from a cross-sectoral and wide-area perspective.
・In addition, support shall be provided to restore facilities and secure capital

investment and human resources, in order to back up the efforts ofbusinesses that are looking to resume business activities or start up abusiness in affected areas. In particular, substantial support shall be provided
in SRRBs where evacuation orders are slated to be lifted in the future.
In addition, support shall be provided to activities that will solve logisticalissues, such as collection and delivery, that is indispensable to businessactivities, and the movement of people and goods to expand local economic
activities and increase visiting and related populations.
・ In order to effectively and efficiently promote this type of support inanticipation of the independence of business operators, it is necessary toprovide assistance in cooperation with the Fukushima Soso Public-Private
Joint Reconstruction Team and local organizations, such as chambers ofcommerce. These support systems shall be enhanced.
・With regard to the relocation and removal of temporary shops, support shallcontinue to be provided only to those that have been transferred to the 12
municipalities affected by the nuclear disaster by the Organization for Small& Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan, based on progress
made in reconstruction to date in affected areas.
・In the agricultural sector, the government shall continue to encourage theresumption of farming by providing assistance to farmers affected by thedisaster, such as the development of farmland and agricultural facilities,
introduction of agricultural machinery and livestock, and measures tocounter damage from wildlife. In addition to this, the resumption of farming
shall be accelerated and human-oriented support shall be strengthened for
local governments in disaster-affected areas by promoting the largepartitioning and concentrated use of farmland, including entry from outsidebusinesses, creation of wide-area, high value-added industries anddevelopment of sixth industry facilities (production, processing anddistribution/sales) with the aim of achieving large-scale agricultural
management with extremely high labor productivity. Furthermore, smart
agriculture shall be promoted with the use of IT technologies. Support shallalso continue for measures to control the absorption of radioactive materials
on agricultural land and measures for radioactive materials in agricultural
irrigation facilities, such as small reservoirs, taking into account the40

distribution and storage status of radioactive materials and their effects. In
addition, universities, research institutes and private companies shallcooperate in promoting research and development that will contribute to therevitalization of the agricultural, forestry, fisheries and food industries thathave deep roots in disaster-affected areas, such as liquor production.
・ In the forest and forestry sector, information shall be collected frommonitoring radioactive materials and various demonstrations, and thedevelopment of forests, such as thinning to prevent soil runoff containing
radioactive materials, and measures for radioactive materials that are needed
to implement these activities shall continue to be implemented, in order toregenerate forests and the forestry industry in Fukushima and other areas. In
addition, actions shall continue to be implemented to restore satoyama areas
based on the results of the Satoyama Restoration Model Project. Activities
shall also be promoted to regenerate production areas for specialty forest
products, such as unprocessed timber and log-grown mushrooms. In
addition, safety certification systems for wood products shall be developed
and retention measures for bark and its effective use shall be promoted torevitalize the timber industry.
・In the fisheries sector, since trial operations are still ongoing for coastal

fisheries and offshore trawlnet fisheries in Fukushima Prefecture, thedevelopment of a stable fishery product production system shall bepromoted, with the provision of support for the resumption of full-scale
operations to increase fishery catches and recover/develop sales channels,
based on the results of monitoring and inspections of radioactive materials
in marine products and the surrounding sea areas. Support shall also
continue to be provided for activities to recover and develop sales channels
in the fishery processing industry.

⑥ Measures to dispel harmful rumors and promotion of risk communication
・The government shall continue to work together to disseminate informationin Japan and overseas to dispel harmful rumors or misinformation in the
agricultural, forestry, fisheries and tourism industries, not only in Fukushima
Prefecture but all areas affected by the disaster, and eliminate unfoundedprejudices and discrimination, based on the Strategy for Eliminating Impacts
from Negative Reputations and Enhancing Risk Communication. Follow-up
activities shall be carried out based on scientific and objective discussions,and continuous reviews shall be conducted so that all measures are moreconsistent, rational and effective.
41

・Effective actions shall continue to be implemented and the necessary level of

support shall continue to be provided to promote scientific knowledge about
radiation and an understanding of the state of disaster-stricken areas wherereconstruction is ongoing. This shall be promoted by disseminating
information throughout the country using various types of media, such as
the internet, and ways to encourage the use of a revised supplementary
reader at schools based on the results of follow-up studies on the use of
these readers.
・In addition, accurate information shall be disseminated on the status ofreconstruction from the nuclear disaster using all available opportunities,
such as international conferences and events overseas.
・In order to enhance the brand power of agricultural, forestry and fisheryproducts from Fukushima and expand and develop sales channels, steadysupport has been provided for efforts to create a reliable and trusted
production area and expand sales channels for products that make use of
the special features of the area, such as the acquisition and promotion of
third-party certifications like GAP 40 and fishery eco-labels. 41 After the
Reconstruction and Revitalization period, actions shall be promoted in eachstage of production, distribution and sales in cooperation with privatecompanies in order to improve brand power that leverages the uniqueadvantages of Fukushima Prefecture’s products through effective measuresthat address issues surrounding agricultural, forestry and fishery products
from Fukushima. In addition to providing appropriate guidance to retailers
and distributors based on the results of a survey on actual conditions of
distribution of agricultural products from Fukushima, 42 dialogue shall bepromoted between retailers, distributors and farmers with support for “buyer
tours”, so that products from Fukushima can be properly assessed.
・ Tourism has remained steady in the six prefectures in Tohoku thanks tosupport by local initiatives to attract inbound tourists. In the future, evenmore efforts will be needed to promote tourism in these six prefectures,
based on the achievements in promoting tourism leveraging thePrivate certification system that third party reviews on GAP (Good Agricultural Practices)
initiatives by producers of agricultural and livestock products and specialty forest products(limited to edible mushrooms, etc.) to certify that practices are carried out properly.
41
Scheme for attaching labels to products so that consumers can select and purchasefishery products that have been caught and produced in a way that considers thesustainability of ecosystems and resources.
42
FY 2018 Survey on Distribution of Agricultural Products from Fukushima (Ministry ofAgriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), March 201940

42

opportunities provided by the Rugby World Cup 2019 and the 2020 Tokyo
Olympic and Paralympic Games. As Fukushima Prefecture still faces issues
with the recovery of educational trips and the total number of guests staying
overnight in the area, support shall continue to be provided after the
Reconstruction and Revitalization period, focusing on targets in theprefecture’s activities for promoting tourism revitalization.
・Every opportunity shall continue to be taken to eliminate and ease import

restrictions in other countries and regions, and support shall continue to beprovided for various efforts to expand sales channels.
・Financial and technical support shall continue to be provided for the smooth

implementation of the Fukushima Health Management Survey to ensure
proper health management for affected people in Fukushima and relieve
anxiety about health. In addition, detailed support shall be provided foranxiety about radiation, mainly by the support center for social workers
engaged in recovery from the nuclear disaster.
・ Reliable and systematic environmental radiation monitoring shall be
implemented according to the situation of radiation, and its results shall be
disclosed in an easy-to-understand way. In addition, monitoring posts shallbe placed at optimal locations with the understanding of local communities.

⑦ Locally independent projects
・Support shall continue to be provided to locally independent projects, suchas independent disaster recovery projects that were not completed during
the Reconstruction and Revitalization period, measures to secure humanresources (dispatching staff, recruitment of fixed-term staff, etc.) to support
revitalization and reconstruction projects, countermeasures to address
reputational damage resulting from the nuclear disaster and improvementsin the educational environment for children.
・Measures shall be taken to compensate for the reduction in local tax revenue
caused by the Local Taxation Act and the Act on Special Measures for the
Reconstruction and Revitalization of Fukushima.

(3) Dissemination of the image of reconstruction and passing on the memories ofthe disaster and lessons learned to future generations
・Even after the Reconstruction and Revitalization Period, easy-to-understandinformation shall be provided whenever necessary on the progress ofreconstruction and the situation in disaster-affected areas. Accurate
information shall be provided on the status of reconstruction from the43

nuclear disaster by taking advantage of various opportunities, such as
international conferences.
・State-run memorial and prayer facilities shall continue to be constructed in

Fukushima Prefecture. Including similar facilities in Iwate and Miyagi
prefectures that are scheduled to be completed during the Reconstruction
and Revitalization period, these facilities will be built to remember and pray
for the repose of the souls of victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake, passon the memories and lessons learned from the disaster to future generations,and send a message to Japan and the world about the strong will of thepeople to reconstruct their lives. In addition, linking these facilities, memorial
facilities in each of the affected areas, remains of the earthquake disaster,and facilities that have been passed down, and disseminating information
shall enhance understanding of the lessons learned from this disaster andimprove disaster prevention capabilities.
・Lessons for future large-scale disasters are shown in “I. Summary of Past

Reconstruction Measures”, and it is important that the various lessons andmemories of the Great East Japan Earthquake are passed down to the next
generation without losing substance and utilized for disaster prevention andmitigation measures and reconstruction in the future. For this reason,
effective methods and initiatives and the know-how of the private sector onreconstruction that have been consolidated and summarized during the past
period of reconstruction shall be disseminated and used to enhance publicawareness. This will be achieved through the collection, organization andpreservation of records from the Great East Japan Earthquake andreconstruction efforts by the national and local governments, in cooperation
with the National Diet Library Great East Japan Earthquake Archive.
・Based on the lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake, disasterprevention education shall be further enhanced to build up an “attitude forindependent action” to be able to protect one’s life in the face of danger suchas a natural disaster, and increase “awareness of contributing to the creationof a safe and secure society” from the perspective as a supporter.
・In particular, cooperation between various entities, such as NPOs, volunteers,businesses and universities, has played a key role in reconstruction from theGreat East Japan Earthquake. The know-how acquired through past activities
to create a “New Tohoku” that have been implemented in areas affected by
the disaster, also called “advanced areas in challenges” with issues such as
population decline and hollowing out of industries, shall be disseminatedand deployed both inside and outside the disaster-affected areas as a model
44

case of activities for regional revitalization.
・ In addition, in order to respond to the diverse and complex issues ofcommunities and individuals after the Reconstruction and Revitalization
period, government policies shall be utilized, including measures for regional
revitalization, making maximum use of know-how and connections with adiverse entities, such as NPOs, volunteers, businesses and universities.
・Materials on changes in governmental organizations and initiatives related toreconstruction up to the end of the Reconstruction and Revitalization period
and the progress of reconstruction shall be collected, organized andcompiled to mark the tenth year since the Reconstruction Agency wasestablished.

2. Systems to support reconstruction(1) Financial resources for recovery and reconstruction projects
・The project scale for the next five years shall be coordinated and required

financial resources shall be allocated to ensure the implementation ofnecessary recovery and reconstruction projects, based on the direction ofreconstruction measures after the Reconstruction and Revitalization period.
・At this time, the scale of recovery and reconstruction projects for the five year

period from fiscal 2021 is expected to be in the mid-range of JPY 1 trillion.
Based on the expectation that the scale of projects up to fiscal 2020 will bein the lower range of JPY 31 trillion, the scale of projects over a period of 15
years up to fiscal 2025 is expected to be in the upper range of JPY 32 trillion.
However, financial resources secured to date (approximately JPY 32 trillion)
are expected to be in the upper range of JPY 32 trillion based on actual results,
and the scale of the project and financial resources are expected to be roughlycommensurate.
・The scale of the project and financial resources shall continue to be closely

examined on the basis of the execution status of the budget during theReconstruction and Revitalization period. The project scale and financial
resources needed to implement recovery and reconstruction projects in theimmediate five years after the end of this period shall be indicated by thesummer of 2020.
・The scale of the project and financial resources in areas affected by the nuclear
disaster shall be reviewed as needed, as detailed responses will be required
for new issues and diverse needs that will emerge with the progress of thereconstruction stage.
45

・The Special Account for Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake
shall remain in place. Reconstruction shall be effectively and steadily
promoted by properly managing the scale of projects in each fiscal year andsetting an accurate budget after the Reconstruction and Revitalization period.
・The Special Local Allocation Tax for Recovery from Earthquake Disaster shallremain in place. According to basic policies in “II. 1. Basic stance ofreconstruction and actions in each sector”, support shall continue to beprovided for recovery and reconstruction projects (those under the directcontrol of the national government, subsidized projects, locally independent
projects, etc.) that will continue to be implemented after the Reconstruction
and Revitalization period.

(2) Legal systems① Act on Special Zones for Reconstruction in Response to the Great East
Japan Earthquake
・Required support shall continue to be provided for special regulatory cases,
reconstruction and development plans and special financial cases focusing
on target areas, while taking the state of reconstruction and the prospects
for required projects into account.
・With regard to tax systems for special zones for reconstruction, with theremarkable decline in population and workplaces, time is needed to improvebasic infrastructure through land readjustment projects in areas that haveexperienced massive damage from the tsunami. As there will be areas wherecompanies will not relocate, consideration shall be paid to extending
application deadlines for tax systems for special zones for reconstruction
after revisions to the Act on Special Zones for Reconstruction in Response to
the Great East Japan Earthquake and prioritizing target areas, so that areasthat have been severely damaged can continue to steadily work on its
industrial revitalization.

Consideration shall also be paid to extending application deadlines forother reconstruction-related tax systems as appropriate, based on pastexamples of large-scale disasters.
・ Projects subsidized by reconstruction grants are expected to be mostly
completed within the Reconstruction and Revitalization period. The
reconstruction grants will be discontinued at the end of the Reconstruction
and Revitalization period once necessary measures have been taken to
ensure that reconstruction grants projects have effectively concluded.

46

② Act on Special Measures for the Reconstruction and Revitalization of
Fukushima
・In addition to measures to improve the living environment to allow residents

to return home, reviews needed to strengthen measures to encourage newvitality, such as promoting relocation and increasing the visiting population
and related populations, shall be carried out to plan for reconstruction andrevitalization in areas where evacuation orders have been lifted.
・The resumption of farming shall be accelerated through the concentrated use
of farmland and promoting the development of sixth industry facilities(production, processing and distribution/sales), including entry from outside,in addition to local main actors.
・Industrial clusters centered on the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework

shall be accelerated and human resources development shall be further
promoted, including establishing systems for the dispatch of national
government staff that allow the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework
Promotion Organization, the core institution promoting the Fukushima
Innovation Coast Framework, to be as active as possible.
・The Act on Special Measures for the Reconstruction and Revitalization of

Fukushima shall be revised in line with a review of target areas under the tax
system for special zones for reconstruction. Tax measures shall be consideredto address issues, such as accelerating activities for industrial clusters under
the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework and eliminating harmful rumors
or misinformation.
・ Foreign countries and regions shall be strongly encouraged to adopt
measures against harmful rumors or misinformation and eliminate or ease
import restrictions overseas.
・Planning systems shall be reviewed on the basis of local conditions, such as
the development of plans by Fukushima Prefecture, a wide-area local
government, under the basic policy formulated by the national government.

③ Act on the Corporation for Revitalizing Earthquake-Affected Business, other・ Options for support from the Corporation for Revitalizing EarthquakeAffected Business shall be considered regarding deadlines on determining
support for double loan measures up to fiscal 2020, including the need for
additional extensions in light of the management needs of disaster-affected
and supported companies.
・ Support for factoring transactions by the Industrial Reconstruction
Corporations and the provision of consultation services for businesses in47

affected areas and management support for factoring companies by theIndustry Promotion Center shall be examined based on the state ofreconstruction of businesses in disaster-affected areas and the intentions ofprefectures and local financial institutions who are investors in the Industrial
Reconstruction Corporations.
(3) Local government support
・Since labor shortages continue to be prevalent in local governments in areas

affected by the disaster, support shall continue to be provided even after the
Reconstruction and Revitalization period to secure the required level ofhuman resources, such as by stationing part-time government employees
hired by the Reconstruction Agency in affected municipalities, as well as
securing support staff from local governments around the country andrecruiting fixed-term staff to work in local governments in disaster-affectedareas, on the basis of the progress of reconstruction.
・According to basic policies in “II. 1. Basic stance of reconstruction and actions
in each sector”, support by Special Local Allocation Tax from Earthquake
Disaster shall continue to be provided for recovery and reconstruction
projects (those under the direct control of the national government,
subsidized projects, locally independent projects, etc.) that will continue tobe implemented after the Reconstruction and Revitalization period.

3. Organizations
・ In order to decompartmentalize ministries and agencies by functioning as acommand tower for reconstruction and to achieve reconstruction from theGreat East Japan Earthquake under political responsibility and leadership,
the period of establishment for the Reconstruction Agency will be extended
for ten years after the Reconstruction and Revitalization period. In light ofstrong requests from local governments affected by the disaster, theReconstruction Agency will continue to be under the direct jurisdiction of
the Cabinet, with the Prime Minister serving as the competent minister ofthe Agency, and the appointment of the Minister of Reconstruction to assist
the competent minister and oversee the affairs of the Reconstruction
Agency, and maintain the current comprehensive coordination function of
the Agency, such as consolidating requests for budgets for reconstruction
projects and one-stop measures for requests from local governments.
48

・ In order to help improve disaster prevention capabilities to handle largescale disasters that have occurred frequently in recent years, theReconstruction Agency will add a function to share and utilize the collective
know-how related to reconstruction with related governmental agencies
and organizations. Through this, efforts can be made to achieve organic
collaboration between disaster prevention and reconstruction.
・ By maintaining reconstruction bureaus in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima
prefectures, reconstruction efforts shall be further accelerated with thethorough implementation of a “hands-on approach”. The Iwate
Reconstruction Bureau and Miyagi Reconstruction Bureau will be relocatedto the coastal areas in order to shift focus to areas where reconstruction
issues are concentrated. Branch offices will be set up in the cities of Morioka
and Sendai. Specific locations will be determined based on the progress ofreconstruction and the opinions of local governments in disaster-affectedareas. As Fukushima is in the midst of full-scale reconstruction andrevitalization, the Fukushima Reconstruction Bureau will continue to belocated in Fukushima City and branch offices will stay in the towns ofTomioka and Namie.
・ In light of further progress of reconstruction projects after the
Reconstruction and Revitalization period, the organizational structure shallbe reviewed in fiscal 2025 (five years after), with measures taken as needed.
4. Other・In relation to the abovementioned activities, matters that should be addressedwith revisions to laws and handled promptly shall be submitted to the next
ordinary session of the Diet.

・Even after the Reconstruction and Revitalization period, the Reconstruction

Agency shall follow-up on the status of reconstruction, including theimplementation status of this basic guidelines each fiscal year, report results to
the Diet and disclose information as appropriate.

・In order to prevent delays in recovery and reconstruction projects from theGreat East Japan Earthquake, every possible effort shall be made to respond to
the devastating level of damage caused by Typhoon Hagibis using a
supplementary budget for fiscal 2019. Related ministries and local governments
in disaster-affected areas shall cooperate to steadily implement actions based49

on the “Package of Measures for Rebuilding the Lives and Livelihoods ofAffected People by Disaster” 43, with the aim of reconstructing disaster-stricken
areas as quickly as possible.

Decision on November 7, 2019 by Support Team for Rebuilding Lives of Victims of
Typhoon Hagibis

4350