Abstract
Aim of the Study: This study aimed to clarify the factors that were relevant to an individual’s self-determination to return amidst anxiety after a long-term evacuation due to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Method: Semi-structured interviews on whether to return were conducted with nine participants aged 60 - 80 years (eight males and one female) residing in areas where evacuation orders were canceled. The data obtained were analyzed qualitatively and inductively. Result: All participants were returning to their homes. Factors relevant to self-determination to return were represented by five categories: a desire to return 1) emerging from life-experience as a long-term evacuee, 2) retained after obtaining information about the original place of residence, 3) acquired from a long-term life as a refugee, 4) retained with the acceptance of the potential risks of returning, and finally 5) people’s apprehension over talking about the importance of the future of the younger generation. Discussion: These categories were based on the participants’ desire to return and they continued to maintain these thoughts by gathering information and preparing for their return after the long-term evacuation caused by the nuclear accident. It was suggested that the risk perception and the norm in that age group could be among the factors that promoted the choice in maintaining the desire to return.
Highlights
As of March 2019, more than 40,000 people were still forced to evacuate the Fukushima Prefecture alone due to the accident at the Tokyo Electric Power Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in 2011 [1]
Factors relevant to self-determination to return were represented by five categories: a desire to return 1) emerging from life-experience as a long-term evacuee, 2) retained after obtaining information about the original place of residence, 3) acquired from a long-term life as a refugee, 4) retained with the acceptance of the potential risks of returning, and 5) people’s apprehension over talking about the importance of the future of the younger generation
These categories were based on the participants’ desire to return and they continued to maintain these thoughts by gathering information and preparing for their return after the long-term evacuation caused by the nuclear accident
Summary
As of March 2019, more than 40,000 people were still forced to evacuate the Fukushima Prefecture alone due to the accident at the Tokyo Electric Power Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in 2011 [1]. In the survey of victims’ intentions by the Reconstruction Agency (Japanese administrative institution established for a period of time for the purpose of recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake) FY2016 [9], the reasons for not returning or not being able to make judgments include the premise of return, such as concerns about nuclear power and air dose rates, health-related issues, and the local government’s recovery status related to infrastructure development Those related to future life such as the living infrastructure at the evacuation destination and the educational environment for children are listed. It can be imagined that the decision regarding the return of evacuees is not easy
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