The panel discussed how to manage exposure doses and other matters for bus drivers transporting the residents being evacuated, as well as for civil servants employed by prefectural and municipal governments hosting NPPs. In the meeting, it also paid attention to such issues as the scope of duties and training details. The panel will work next on creating a system to ensure safety.

At the meeting, personnel from the Cabinet Office responsible for nuclear disaster prevention explained that the central government considers the annual radiation exposure limit for those requiring protective measures in emergencies the same as for the public — i.e., 1mSv — and that radiation protection suits will have to be distributed in advance.

Experts on the panel raised specific concerns about managing individual exposure doses, and also mentioned the importance of properly explaining the associated risks to those engaged in disaster prevention activities in the future.

The panel consists of related personnel from the Cabinet Office, university professors and medical personnel. It is chaired by Dr. Shunichi Yamashita, vice president of Nagasaki University.