The government will expand the 20-km evacuation zone around the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant because concerns are rising about cumulative, long-term radiation exposure, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Monday.
Under the nuclear disaster law, residents in parts of certain municipalities outside the zone will be "instructed" to leave in about a month. These areas include parts of Minamisoma, Katsurao, Namie, Iitate and Kawamata. All are in Fukushima Prefecture.
People "do not need to evacuate immediately" but will be told to in about a month, given rising concerns over long-term radiation exposure, Edano said.