The re-opening of beaches near the crippled Daiichi nuclear plant is expected to help change perceptions of the region. (Photo: AFP/STR)

Local officials in Fukushima said they hoped the opening of the Haragamaobama beach would help change perceptions of the region, which have become inextricably linked with the 2011 disaster. The beach is about 40 kilometres north of the crippled Daiichi nuclear plant. Water quality inspection has not detected radioactive materials in the offshore seawater for years, and reopening the beach was only delayed while infrastructure for bathers was being built.

Meanwhile, Miyagi officials said two other beaches affected by the devastating tsunami in the Miyagi prefecture, north of Fukushima, also reopened this weekend.