Japan's government has decided to lift evacuation advisories for some areas around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, paving the way for thousands of people to return to their homes.

The March 11 earthquake and tsunami knocked out cooling systems at the plant, causing meltdowns at three of its six reactors. Engineers have been struggling ever since to bring the reactors to a safe state and halt the leakage of radiation into the air, sea and ground.

The government had advised residents living within 20 kilometers of the plant to stay away.

Officials now say the advisory will be lifted by early September, allowing some 25,000 people who evacuated their homes to return. They also say residents within three kilometers of the plant will soon be allowed to make brief visits to the area.

The steps were announced Tuesday as government and plant officials reported some improvement in conditions at the plant.