Japan: Payment plan for nuke evacuees

A Japanese government panel announced a plan to pay up to 6 million yen ($71,899) to people forced from their homes around a damaged nuclear power plant. The Dispute Reconciliation Committee for Nuclear Damage Compensation decided on the plan late last week to compensate evacuees from the area around the Fukushima No. 1 plant for their pain and suffering. The money will be paid by Tokyo Electric Power Co., and will be allocated according to how long the recipients are forced to live elsewhere, The Yomiuri Shimbun said Sunday. Three zones will be established based on how much radiation the area received and how many months or years it will be before the residents can return. The guidelines, which will be implemented at the end of the month, also provides for payment for abandoned homes. TEPCO\'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant outside Tokyo was knocked out by last year\'s earthquake and tsunami and leaked radiation.