The village of Kawauchi near the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant declared an end to evacuation on Tuesday and called on residents to return.

Kawauchi is the first among municipalities located in evacuation zones designated after the nuclear accident to take such a step.

The village will restart administrative services and reopen schools, nurseries and clinics in April, Kawauchi Mayor Yuko Endo said at a press conference.