A medical clinic has opened for the first time in 12 years in Futaba Town, the location of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

About 30 people attended an opening ceremony held at the new building in Futaba Town on Wednesday. Town mayor Izawa Shiro said a medical clinic plays an important role for residents and he will work to give them a sense of relief.

All residents in the town were evacuated after the 2011 earthquake and nuclear accident. Last August, an evacuation order was lifted for some of the areas designated as "no-entry zones."

Futaba Town was the last among the 12 municipalities, which were ordered to evacuate, to allow residents to return.

The clinic starts its operation on Thursday. Two physicians will come to the building from outside the town, taking turns to take care of patients three days a week.

Kusano Yoshiro, one of the doctors, said he worked in the town for 22 years before the 2011 accident. He said he feels that the town's long-awaited reconstruction has finally begun.

A 71-year-old man who returned to the town said he feels more at ease having a new clinic nearby. He said it would also be a step forward for the town to bring greater convenience, as there are many elderly people in the town.