Almost as if they intentionally timed their decision with the latest ‘big’ aftershock (two in 4 days now), the Japanese government announced that they will expand the evacuation zone.

The zone will now be 30 kilometers instead of 20km.  The expansion applies only to areas within the 30km (18.6 miles) radius that show high levels of radiation.  People living in areas that have readings that are the equivalent of 20 millisieverts per year, will be asked to leave.  The current yearly exposure standard, to naturally occuring radiation, is 2.4 millisieverts.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano Yukio, said they will work with the local governments, and residents will have one month to get out.  Edano also said that people living in the 30km area, but not currently experiencing high levels of radiation, must be prepared to leave at any time.