An international pact on nuclear disaster compensation will enter into force April 15 after Japan signed on to the treaty last week, and a fund will be created to help victims of accidents like the one at the Fukushima No. 1 power plant in 2011.

The Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage, which will come into force 90 days after Japan's treaty acceptance, obliges each country to cover at least ¥47 billion in compensation in connection with nuclear disasters within their borders. The other member countries are required to contribute to compensation above that amount with funds set aside by business operators related to nuclear power.

Under the treaty, Japan will contribute up to ¥4 billion to an international fund and could receive up to ¥7 billion to cover compensation in the event of another nuclear accident.