scholarly journals Longitudinal associations of radiation risk perceptions and mental health among non-evacuee residents of Fukushima prefecture seven years after the nuclear power plant disaster

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 100523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maiko Fukasawa ◽  
Norito Kawakami ◽  
Maki Umeda ◽  
Tsuyoshi Akiyama ◽  
Naoko Horikoshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Radiation Risk ◽  
Fukushima Prefecture ◽  
Longitudinal Associations

Distrust in government and its relationship with mental health after the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402096812
Author(s):  
Maiko Fukasawa ◽  
Norito Kawakami ◽  
Maki Umeda ◽  
Tsuyoshi Akiyama ◽  
Naoko Horikoshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Residential Area ◽  
National Government ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant Accident ◽  
Fukushima Prefecture ◽  
The Government

Background: Distrust in authorities has negative effects on mental health. Aims: In this study, we aimed to explore whether the impact of distrust in government on mental health became stronger in the area heavily affected by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant accident. Methods: We examined the effects of distrust in the national government on depressive symptoms three years after the accident among community residents in Fukushima prefecture using those in the Kanto area (the area surrounding Tokyo) as a control. A questionnaire survey was administered to a random sample of 1000 residents in Fukushima prefecture and 1650 residents in the Kanto area. Distrust in the national government was assessed using a four-point single-item scale. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The associations of residential area (i.e. living in Fukushima prefecture or in the Kanto area) and distrust in the national government with depressive symptoms were examined, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics and disaster-related experiences using multivariate linear regression analyses. We used the interaction term of residential area and distrust in the government to explore the difference in the association between the respondents in Fukushima prefecture and those in the Kanto area. Results: Valid responses were obtained from 976 (36.8%) residents. Distrust in the government was associated with depressive symptoms and the association was stronger in Fukushima prefecture than in the Kanto area. Conclusion: The deleterious effects of distrust in the government on mental health may become more serious after a nuclear power plant accident and require careful attention during support activities in an affected area.

scholarly journals Risk perceptions regarding radiation exposure among Japanese schoolteachers living around the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant after the Fukushima accident

PLoS ONE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. e0212917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroko Hori ◽  
Makiko Orita ◽  
Yasuyuki Taira ◽  
Takashi Kudo ◽  
Noboru Takamura
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Fukushima Accident

scholarly journals Differentiation and Integration of Evacuees with Regard to Lifting the Evacuation Order Following the Nuclear Power Plant Accident: A Case Study of Naraha and Tomioka Towns, Futaba District, Fukushima Prefecture

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1125-1141
Author(s):  
Michimasa Matsumoto ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Entire Area ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant Accident ◽  
Fukushima Prefecture ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys

As of spring 2018, evacuation orders have been lifted from the entire area of Naraha Town and most of Tomioka, except for certain areas. While many evacuees have chosen their evacuation destinations as their permanent residences, some have returned to their former towns. This paper examines the factors involved in the “differentiation” and “integration” of Naraha and Tomioka residents before and after the disaster and the various forms they assume, based on the results of questionnaire surveys conducted in 2012 and 2015 as well as interviews conducted on a continuing basis since the disaster. In this process, it has become apparent that a split exists between Naraha, whose residents are moving toward “integration” with the lifting of the evacuation order, and Tomioka, whose residents are progressing toward “differentiation.”

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