Association of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Physical Function and Mental Health among Older Returnees after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident

The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and consequent Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident caused a large-scale evacuation, generating various health issues. Although residents gradually returned, their independence of daily living and associated factors remain unknown. This study examines the hypothesis that physical and mental status are associated with the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) of older returnees (65 years and above) after the disaster. Older returnees to Kawauchi Village, Fukushima Prefecture, located 20–30 km southwest of the power plants, were recruited. IADL was assessed using the Japan Science and Technology Agency Index of Competence, physical function via the 30-s chair stand test, and mental health via the Japanese version of the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index. To examine the association of IADL and possible factors, a t-test or Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient was used, stratified by sex. The data of 29 participants (75.5 ± 7.4 years, 19 female) were analyzed. Physical function was associated with IADL in females. Mental health was associated with IADL in males and females. Taking measures to strengthen physical function in females, as well as to improve mental health in both sexes, for enhancing IADL ability could be beneficial.

R&D of JAEA for the decommissioning of TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station

This paper does not necessarily reflect the views of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Since the accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station in March 2011, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has been contributing actively to the environmental recovery of Fukushima and the decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station from a technical aspect, through a wide range of research and development (R&D) activities including fundamental research and applicational technology development. JAEA has been conducting R&D such as the characterisation of fuel debris, and treatment and disposal of radioactive wastes based on the ‘Mid-and-Long-Term Roadmap’ authorised by the Japanese Government. This R&D is mainly promoted by Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science (CLADS) in Tomioka Town, and CLADS has also been promoting cooperation with domestic and foreign research institutes, related companies, universities, etc. In addition, Naraha Centre for Remote Control Technology Development in Naraha Town commenced full operation in April 2016 for the development and demonstration of remote control technologies planned for use in the decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station and disaster response. Okuma Analysis and Research Centre in Okuma Town is under construction for the analysis and characterisation of fuel debris and various radioactive wastes. Ten years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station, and environmental conditions in Fukushima have been improving. The evacuation zone has been lifted, and preparation of specific recovery areas in the difficult-to-return zone has progressed. However, the reconstruction of Fukushima and the decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station are still in progress, and JAEA will continue its R&D for the decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station with domestic and international expertise in order to further contribute to the reconstruction of Fukushima.