Fukushima delegation ends visit to Chernobyl

A delegation from Fukushima Prefecture has ended a 6-day visit to the former Soviet republics of Belarus and Ukraine. The 2 countries were heavily contaminated following the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986.

The delegation made up of prefectural officials and researchers visited the office of a civic group "ZEMLYAKI" in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev on Sunday.

The group was set up by a group of evacuees from Pripyat -- a town about 4 kilometers from the Chernobyl nuclear plant. It has been working to improve medical assistance and international exchanges.

A representative said many evacuees are unemployed, face financial difficulties and need more support.

A former kindergarten director in Pripyat said the authorities failed to disclose the truth. She said she was told by officials that she would be able to return home several days after the accident, but later learned from TV that she would never be allowed to return.

The delegation head, Shuji Shimizu, who is deputy president of Fukushima University, said the group learned a lot during the visit about what people in Fukushima should do. He said he will make use of the findings.

Monday, November 07, 2011 11:09 +0900 (JST)