"As more information about the path of fallout emerged, 80 square miles (207 square km) of land northwest of the initial exclusion zone were also declared dangerous by the Fukushima prefectural government and included in the greater exclusion zone (which increased the total area off-limits to 311.5 square miles [807 square km]). However, starting in August 2015, some areas in the greater exclusion zone that earlier had been declared contaminated were considered safe enough for former residents to either visit their homes and businesses for short periods or return to them permanently. By 2017 the exclusion zone had declined to 143 square miles (371 square km). Despite this seemingly good news, few people have returned so far, most of them elderly."
