Japan has lifted evacuation advisories in some areas more than 20 kilometers from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant. Officials, said the move will allow, about 25,000 people, covered by the advisories, to return home in about a month.

This satellite file image taken on March 14, 2011, and provided by DigitalGlobe shows the damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear facility in Okuma, Fukushima prefecture, northeastern Japan. [File photo]

The 20-kilometer exclusion zone has been in place since the March 11th twin disasters and will remain that way. Officials said mandatory evacuation orders, will also remain in place in several high-radiation areas outside the exclusion zone. More than 80,000 residents, fled their homes after the twin disasters, with tens of thousands UNABLE to return because of radiation threats.