Makiyasu Matsumoto, 82, worries he may never be able to return to his hometown of Futaba, which was rendered uninhabitable by the wrecked Fukushima No. 1 power plant.

"I want to go back, because Futaba has been my home almost all my life. But I might have to give up on my hopes, considering the present situation," Matsumoto said at an evacuation center where he now lives in Kazo, Saitama Prefecture.

The center was set up in what used to be Kisai High School. Matsumoto has been there for almost two years since first seeking refuge in Saitama Super Arena after the March 11, 2011, quake and tsunami triggered three core meltdowns at the power plant.