In a part of the difficult-to-return area in Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture, which aims to lift the evacuation order next spring, access restrictions have been significantly relaxed from the 26th, and it is now possible to enter freely 24 hours a day.
Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture, is an area of 390 hectares, such as the Yonomori area, which was once a residential area, among the difficult-to-return areas. I am.
Until now, the area was only accessible from 9 am to 4 pm with permission, but from the 26th, regulations have been significantly relaxed and free access is available 24 hours a day. It is now possible.
On the 26th, the barricade was removed at 9 am, and cars and other vehicles from the evacuation site went inside one after another.
Although it is not possible to stay overnight, the town is aiming to start a "preparatory accommodation" to sleep at home etc. in preparation for returning during the Golden Week holidays.
As of the 1st of this month, 1176 households and 2729 people have registered as residents in this area, and it is expected that the deregulation of access will improve the environment for long-term stays.
Ikuo Yamamoto, the mayor of Tomioka Town, said, "It's been 11 years, but the first step in the reconstruction of this area has finally begun. I can do it, so I'd like to expect it from the tourism side as well. "
A man who visited his house "I feel nostalgic for the happy mountains and rivers"
富岡町からいわき市に避難している松本義隆さん（75）は、立ち入りの規制が緩和されると、すぐに自宅を訪れました。
これまでは3か月に1度、訪れるだけでしたが、立ち入りの規制の緩和で、今後は自宅に来る機会が増える見込みだということです。
いずれは富岡町に戻ることを希望していて、帰還への準備が進むと考えています。
松本さんは「今まで自宅に帰るのに許可が必要で、ものすごく不便だったが、自由に入ることができてうれしい。家や学校はなくなっているが、山や川は残っていて懐かしく感じる。自分の最期は、生まれ育ったふるさとで迎えたい」と話していました。