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Displacement due to disasters is on the rise globally. The 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami, followed by the Fukushima nuclear accident, displaced internally more than 150,000 persons. Four years later, many of these evacuees remain displaced, unable or hesitant to return home, due to radiological and social consequences caused by the disaster.

Drawing on two research projects, this policy brief seeks to examine the case of Fukushima evacuees, with special focus on the question of return, and attempts to make policy recommendations specifically tailored for the nuclear displacement. It explores ways in which genuine durable solutions can be found for their case in line with international protection guidelines for internally displaced persons.