Engagement on risk and uncertainty: lessons from coastal regions of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan after the 2011 nuclear disaster?

Mabon, Leslie; Kawabe, Midori

Abstract

This paper uses the case study of the south-east coast of Fukushima Prefecture in Japan to draw lessons for risk communication under situations of high uncertainty and conditions of varying trust. Based on an existing field of research into the social and ethical aspects of governing risks around environmental radioactivity, empirical qualitative material collected in Fukushima Prefecture over 2014 and 2015 is analysed around three key questions: who is undertaking risk communication and how they are perceived (in particular their motivations and perceived competence); what is the purpose of engagement with citizens and stakeholders on risk and uncertainty (i.e. whether it is to ‘convince’ people or allow them to come to their own informed decision); and whether risk communication may be considered responsive to the needs of the affected populations. The findings are then applied to Kasperson’s four questions for the future of risk communication in order to assess their wider implications. Particular attention is paid to how the individual or institution conveying the risk message is perceived, and in whose interests risk communication is undertaken.

Citation

MABON, L. and KAWABE, M. 2018. Engagement on risk and uncertainty: lessons from coastal regions of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan after the 2011 nuclear disaster? Journal of risk research [online], 21(11), pages 1297-1312. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2016.1200658

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 13, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jun 29, 2016
• Publication Date: Nov 30, 2018
• Deposit Date: Apr 13, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 30, 2017
• Journal: Journal of risk research
• Print ISSN: 1366-9877
• Electronic ISSN: 1466-4461
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 1297-1312
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2016.1200658
• Keywords: Environmental sociology; Fukushima nuclear accident; Qualitative research; Risk communication; Risk governance
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/1435