you visited one school in minamisoma. what is the situation like for all schools in minamisoma? >> about 60% of the children in the city's five schools haven't returned. they are living outside of minamisoma, or outside of fukushima prefecture, entirely. japan's relocation ministry has set a goal of limiting radiation exposure for children to a maximum of one millisievert per year. the school that has resumed classes are asking their students to wear face masks on the way to class. and also, their outdoor activities are restricted to two hours a day. still, many parents don't want to bring their children back to minamisoma, because only school compounds have been decontaminated. >> how hard do you think will it be to clean up minamisoma? >> authorities started decontamination work in august for public facilities such as schools. they didn't get help from the central government. city officials don't think they'll be able to start cleaning up private residences until next year. the biggest problem is, there's no place to keep soil and other substances that have been removed in the

the center is located in minamisoma some 20 kilometers from the plant. 18 children ranging in age from two months to five years arrived with their parents at the center on tuesday. the facility decided to reopen, after the japanese government lifted its evacuation advisory for the city late last month. before opening its doors again, the center reportedly took decontamination measures such as removing topsoil if its playground. >> translator: parents have different views about radiation. we have a lot on our plates. and we just have to do what we can. >>> many northeastern japan are just doing what they can these days. tens of thousands of people are starting from scratch. no home, no job, few prospects. we met one woman in the devastated tohoku region who believes she has found a way do get back on her feet. nhk world's hiroki yaj ma has her story. >> reporter: 50-year-old sakamoto has completed a trains course. she's now a home-based caretaker for elderly people. >> translator: i'm so glad to receive this certificate. i'm hoping to find a new job, even though it will be hard to do. n