Fukushima survivors sue Japan government, electric utility

TOKYO (AFP) - Hundreds of survivors of the Fukushima nuclear crisis in Japan filed a class action lawsuit Monday seeking restitution of the region that was contaminated by radioactive fallout.

Some 800 plaintiffs filed the case with the Fukushima District Court, demanding 50,000-yen (S$650) a month from the government and Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco) until the area is restored, their lawyers said in a statement.

The plaintiffs are mostly from Fukushima, but also include some residents of neighboring prefectures, the lawyers said.

"Through this case, we seek restitution of the region to the condition before radioactive materials contaminated the area, and demand compensation for psychological pains until the restitution is finished," the statement said.