Psychosocial Challenges of the Fukushima Nuclear Plant Workers

Abstract

The Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster posed major psychological challenges to the nuclear plant workers. The workers had experienced multiple and complex traumatic exposures or “stressors,” including a series of workplace chaos (e.g., plant explosion, nuclear meltdown, and radiation exposure), local victim and grief experiences, and extensive societal criticism owing to public criticism toward the electric company. Studies have shown experience of such discrimination and stigma to be a key element to the workers’ mental health. As time passed by, these experiences have led to a wide range of mental/behavioral consequences, along with increase in number of retirees and personnel shortages. In the case of Fukushima, the mental health support system was not originally developed as a top-down program, and it took months to launch an official project. In order to provide prompt and comprehensive support in future events, pre-disaster planning and education will be important in designing health-care delivery and surveillance programs. The decommissioning process is expected to take decades, and it is important that the workers maintain their physical and mental health. A long-term health support system will be a key element to achieve this goal. Collaborations with the media may be helpful in order to improve their mental health by reducing stigma and enhancing social recognition and respect of the workers.