minamisoma has to deal with the declining and aging population. young people moved out of the city following the accident. officials are also trying to mitigate public concern about radiation and improve the transportation network and attract commercial facilities. another key necessity is medical care. nhk world reports on one man who is trying to provide that. >> reporter: this man is an orthopedist. in advance of the lifting of the evacuation order, he received permission to reopen a clinic in minamisoma's ward. it was special to him. it was his home before the disaster. his clinic is making it possible for many seniors to return home as well. they're reluctant to do so because there's no access to medical care. >> translator: my doctor returned, and i can be treated in my home town. >> translator: i feel relaxed in odaka. my foot pain is easing and my spirits are lifting. >> reporter: he fled with his family immediately after the disaster and centered nearly 100 kilometers wear in sendai. he thought the odaka area was uninhabitable because of

. >> reporter: hiro akimoma received permission to reopen a clinic in minamisoma's ward. it was special to him. it was his home before the disaster. moma's clinic is now making it possible for many seniors to return h home as well. they are r ructant to do soo if there'e's no access to medical care. >> translator: my doctor returned and i can be treated in my hometown. >> translator: i feel relaxed in odaka. my foot pain is easing and my spirits are lifting. >> reporter: moma fled with his family immediately after the disaster and set up in sendai. he thought the odaka area was uninhabitable because of radiation. >> translator: at the time, i had given up. i thought i'd never be able to return here. to work or live. >> reporter: but when he learned the decontamination work was progressing, he looked into reopening his practice. a former employee supported him. kuni had worked as a nurse in his clinic. she moved to a neighboring city after the evacuation. when monma told her hee might g back, she immediately agreed to return to her position. >> translalator: i thought rest