A survey conducted by Asahi Shimbun revealed that half of the respondents who evacuated from six towns in Fukushima Prefecture after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster do not plan to return to their original homes. As many as 76% of those expressing high satisfaction with their current living conditions indicated that they have no intention of returning. The survey was carried out in the months leading up to the 15th anniversary of the disaster, with 1,868 valid responses collected from residents currently living in municipalities away from their hometowns.

The survey aimed to explore the intentions of evacuees regarding their return to their home towns by asking if they plan to live there again. Results showed that 50% of respondents chose the option indicating they do not intend to return, while only 2% said they would definitely return. A further 14% responded that they would consider returning if conditions were favorable, illustrating the complexity and reservations regarding repatriation. Interestingly, demographic differences such as gender and age played a minimal role in influencing responses, although slightly fewer in their 40s showed intentions of returning.

Those who expressed satisfaction with their current living situations seemed to be more definitive about their unwillingness to return. A substantial 76% of individuals satisfied with their lives chose not to return, suggesting that contentment with their new lives significantly influences their decisions about returning to Fukushima. This trend hints at significant emotional and practical factors at play, as residents build new relationships and find stability in their current environments, affecting the long-term impact of the disaster on the communities involved.