What Should the Radiation Education in Japan in the Future Be Like?

Abstract

In respect to policy and involvement in social cognition of Advanced Science and Technology, people desire to recognize the scientific understanding and social understanding hierarchically and simultaneously. However, the understandings of some sciences and technologies are dependent on the amount of information given and how easy it is to understand it. Nuclear power and radiation are a typical example of such sciences and technologies because their advantages and disadvantages are clear. On the other hand, the Fukushima Nuclear Plant Accident that occurred in March 2011 caused the myth about the safety and security of nuclear power to collapse. Concerns about nuclear power and radiation increased abruptly after the accident. Also the scientific understanding of 'nuclear power' and radiation increased. The content and level of radiation education was highly significant than before the accident. However, it is essential to propose a more detailed explanation for people that are concerned about radioactive contamination of food and also for people living in areas that still have relatively high dose of radioactive material. Although some technical problems such as the influences on the human body by low-dose exposure remain unresolved, not only specialists on nuclear power and radiation, but also the persons that have studied the radiation are desired to explain radiation for familiar people. As a result, in Japan, the learning of individuals spread to society because the Japanese are highly interested in nuclear power and radiation and the understanding of historical background.