Radiation found in foundations of new home
On January 19, the Mayor of Nihonmatsu City announced that concrete used by the contractor for the recently discovered contaminated apartment building (article here) has also been used in a recently built home, and new recent reports indicate that the gravel from the quarry has been used in at least 50 homes and apartment buildings, and over 1000 different construction projects throughout the prefecture. A further 7 tons of gravel were shipped to Tokyo.Read more
High radiation levels from concrete in new apartment building
On January 15, the Cabinet Office's Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters and the Nihonmatsu City Council in Fukushima Prefecture announced that radiation levels of 1.24 microsieverts/hour were detected in a brand new 3-storey apartment building in the city. The levels exceed the radiation levels found outdoors and residents from the 1st floor of the building have been advised to move elsewhere.Read more
Japan's portable "tsunami shelter"
A Japanese home-builder, Kimidori Kenchiku, has invented a tsunami-proof shelter that is shaped like a soccer ball and is capable of holding up to 5 adults. The company said that they developed the product as a way to increase future survival rates after seeing the devastating effects of the March 11 tsunami.Read more
Moves to cancel mortgages in tsunami-affected areas
On December 29 the Japan Housing Finance Agency (JHF) announced that they are considering either canceling mortgages or reducing the repayments to homeowners from the tsunami affected areas in Tohoku.Read more
Chiba's radiation hot spots scaring off buyers
A survey* by the Chiba Association of Real Estate Appraisers found that 60% of real estate agents in Chiba Prefecture believe that radiation fears are directly impacting the sluggish local real estate market.
Following the discovery of several radiation 'hot spots' in Kashiwa and Matsudo Cities, there has been a sudden increase in the number of homes put up for sale as residents want out. Meanwhile, the interest from buyers has almost stopped completely.Read more
Houses in Iwate City to be decontaminated
Decontamination work has begun on houses in the Shidamyo and Ogi areas in Kawamaemachi-Shimookeuri, Iwaki City. The residential neighborhoods are 28 km south-west of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. By the end of this year they will have decontaminated 7 homes and by March, 2012, they hope to have decontaminated a total of 46 homes.
The area was reported as a hotspot with outside radiation levels of 1 ~ 3 microsievert/hr. In the initial days of the nuclear disaster, residents were ordered to remain indoors. The order was lifted on April 22nd. The city hopes that decontamination will reduce the level to below 0.5 microsievert/hr. Once the work is complete, they will re-measure the homes.Read more
Yamagata City to start measuring homes for radiation
Yamagata City will be the first area in Yamagata Prefecture to start measuring the radiation levels of homes. Between 150 and 200 homes will be tested by the city to determine whether decontamination is needed.
If the radiation level at 50 cm above ground exceed 1 microsievert/hr, the city can provide advice to the homeowner and hire decontamination workers. Residents can submit applications to have their home measured, and testing will begin on December 20. The city believes they can visit up to 25 homes per day.Read more