Ōkuma, Fukushima

Ōkuma, Fukushima
Name	Ōkuma
Native name	大熊町
Settlement type	Town
Coordinates	37, 24, N, 140...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Japan
Subdivision type1	Region
Subdivision name1	Tōhoku
Subdivision type2	Prefecture
Subdivision name2	Fukushima Prefecture
Subdivision type3	District
Subdivision name3	Futaba
Leader title	Mayor
Established title	Town settled
Population as of	1 February 2024
Area total km2	78.71
Timezone	Japan Standard Time
Utc offset	+9
Blank name sec1	Phone number
Blank info sec1	0246-84-5200
Blank1 name sec1	Address
Blank1 info sec1	552 Aza Maeda, Ōaza Kumanogō, Ōkuma-machi, Futaba-gun, Fukushima-ken 979-1308

Ōkuma, Fukushima is a town located in Futaba District of Fukushima Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. The town is internationally known for hosting a significant portion of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which was severely damaged during the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Following the subsequent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, the entire population was evacuated, and the town remains largely uninhabited within the designated difficult-to-return zone.

Geography

Ōkuma is situated on the Pacific Ocean coast of northeastern Honshu, bordering the towns of Futaba to the north and Namie to the south. The town's topography includes coastal plains and low hills, with the Ōkuma River flowing through the area into the Pacific Ocean. The landscape is part of the broader Hamadōri region within Fukushima Prefecture. The area experiences a humid subtropical climate, influenced by the Kuroshio Current, with warm summers and cool winters.

History

The area of present-day Ōkuma has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with archaeological sites from the Jōmon period. During the Edo period, it was part of the Nihonmatsu Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate. The modern town was established on April 1, 1889, with the creation of the municipal system. In the 20th century, the town's history became inextricably linked to nuclear power with the construction of the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant beginning in 1967. The plant's reactors, including Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, and Unit 4, began operations between 1971 and 1978. The town's history was permanently altered by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which triggered the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, leading to a mandatory and complete evacuation.

Demographics

Prior to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, Ōkuma had a population of approximately 11,500 residents. Following the evacuation order issued on March 12, 2011, the population dropped to zero. As of 2024, the official registered population remains zero, though a small number of workers are permitted entry for decommissioning and reconstruction efforts. The former residents are dispersed across Japan, with significant numbers residing in temporary housing in cities like Aizuwakamatsu and Iwaki. The long-term demographic future of the town is uncertain and is tied to ongoing decontamination work and the lifting of evacuation orders for certain districts.

Economy

Historically, the economy of Ōkuma was based on agriculture, including rice cultivation, and fishing along its coastline. The local economy was transformed by the establishment of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which provided significant tax revenues and employment through Tokyo Electric Power Company and associated industries. Since the 2011 disaster, all traditional economic activity has ceased. The current economy is entirely centered on the massive, long-term decommissioning project at the nuclear plant, involving thousands of workers from companies like TEPCO and Kajima Corporation. The national government and Fukushima Prefecture are also investing in infrastructure projects aimed at eventual rehabilitation.

Government

Ōkuma is governed as a town under the Local Autonomy Law of Japan. The town maintains its administrative status and a mayor, currently operating from a temporary town hall located in the city of Aizuwakamatsu. The municipal government works in coordination with the Fukushima Prefectural Government and agencies of the Government of Japan, such as the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, on recovery and decontamination policies. The town is part of the Fukushima 2nd district for national House of Representatives elections.

Education

Prior to 2011, Ōkuma operated several public elementary and junior high schools under the town's board of education. These facilities, including Ōkuma Elementary School and Ōkuma Junior High School, were closed following the evacuation. Educational services for displaced children from Ōkuma were provided by other municipalities. In April 2018, the town reopened a new combined elementary and junior high school, the Ōkuma Future School, in a temporary facility in Aizuwakamatsu to serve the children of returning families and workers.

Transportation

Ōkuma was primarily served by the JR East Jōban Line, with Ōkuma Station providing rail access. The station and line operations were suspended following the 2011 disaster. The critical national highway serving the area is National Route 6, which runs along the coast and through the town; access remains restricted. For the decommissioning work, a dedicated network of buses and secured roads is used to transport workers to and from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant site. The nearest major airport is Fukushima Airport, located over 100 kilometers away.

Category:Towns in Fukushima Prefecture Category:Populated places established in 1889 Category:Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster