Disasters as Enablers of Negotiation for Sustainability Transition: A Case from Odaka, Fukushima

Masahiro Matsuura

doi:10.3390/su14053101

Abstract

Disaster risk at the community level is likely to increase as climate change worsens. In this study, the author investigated the impact of disasters on negotiation for community development, particularly as a promoter of sustainability negotiation. Studies on agenda setting in policy making and critical moments in negotiation were thoroughly reviewed. Based on the review, the author presents an extraordinary case of the Odaka community from Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. This community experienced a critical moment in the negotiation of its development after the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 and a subsequent nuclear disaster. The community also experienced a 5-year-long forced evacuation due to nuclear contamination from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power station. This case reveals a major shift in four aspects of negotiation—parties, interests, relationship, and legitimacy—and a transition to more sustainable developments. It also demonstrates the possibility that disasters can enable negotiation for more sustainable development patterns by transforming the associated settings.

Highlights

The risk of disasters is likely to increase as climate change worsens [1,2]
This article explores the role of disasters as an enabler of negotiation for sustainability, at the community level
This study assessed this by empirically examining the shifts in negotiation settings in a Japanese community stricken by a triple-disaster: an earthquake, a tsunami, and a nuclear power plant explosion

Summary

Introduction

The risk of disasters is likely to increase as climate change worsens [1,2]. In addition to conventional responses to anticipated disasters, adaptation—adjustment to actual or expected changes to climate and its effects—has been vigorously sought at the city and community levels to improve resilience [1,6–8]. Whereas disaster risks need to be minimized as much as possible for the achievement of sustainable development, the risks are unlikely to be completely eliminated due to the complexities of natural systems [9,10]. Odaka used to be an independent municipality until and merged with two adjacent towns, used to be an independent municipality until 2005 and merged with two adjacent towns, Haramachi and Kashima, to form a new municipality called Minami-Soma. Haramachi and Kashima, to form a new municipality called Minami-Soma.

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion