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The experiences of co-expertise after the Fukushima accident( Brooks et al., 2020; Takamura et al., 2018; Igarashi, 2022; Yasutaka and Kanai, 2020) have shown that the success of these three pillars largely depends on the long-term commitment of experts dedicated to serving residents, to listen to them and introduce them to radiation measurement, or even support them in the implementation of local projects. For the latter, experience has also shown that financial support and the establishment of a governance framework by the authorities( local and / or national) are essential.
Mistrust and dissatisfaction toward the authorities among residents, as revealed in this research, have not been easily resolved even after the evacuation orders were lifted, as confirmed in discussions held during the Fukushima Dialogue in the fall of 2023, held in Futaba on the theme of“ Living Together after the Nuclear Accident”( NPO Fukushima Dialogue, 2023). During this dialogue, local residents highlighted the difficulty of establishing continuous communication with the public authorities in charge of the reconstruction process. Many participants highlighted a significant gap between statements by national authorities regarding reconstruction efforts, particularly the return of residents, and the public’ s opinions on these topics.
In order to address these issues, it is essential for authorities and experts to work together with residents through processes such as co-expertise so that residents can actively engage with their own situation. The findings of this study indicate that it is the younger generation, rather than the elderly, who tend to have a stronger willingness to be proactively involved. In light of such generational tendencies, it is desirable to develop and implement the process accordingly. The fact that Futaba Town was the last municipality to have its evacuation order lifted can be seen as an advantage in that it allows the town to make use of the experiences of other municipalities where the orders had already been lifted. Alongside the findings presented in this study, it is expected that future measures will be implemented by drawing on both the strengths and shortcomings of previous cases.
6 Concluding remarks
Both qualitative and quantitative findings of the present research confirm that concerns about health, particularly for children and future generations, remain central among evacuees and residents. Persistent anxiety is driven by uncertainty about radiation risks and deep-rooted distrust in official information. Although a significant portion of respondents expressed a desire to acquire more knowledge about radiation, the way information is communicated plays a critical role in shaping perceptions. It has been underlined that in a context of distrust technical information about the risk and the effects of radiation plays a limited role( Murakami et al., 2017; Lochard, 2020; Ando, 2021). Moreover, official information is often presented with the objective of convincing people that the situation is under control. As one resident expressed in the open-ended question 22“ We would like the meeting to be one where the dangers and safety of radioactive contaminants and radiation are explained, rather than an educational meeting that emphasizes safety and aims to persuade people.” This statement, which reflects the perception of some Futaba residents, underscores the need for authorities to adopt a transparent communication strategy such as the co-expertise process that primarily addresses residents’ real concerns.
The study also revealed generational differences in knowledge-seeking behaviors. While older individuals tend to rely on formal sources and large lecture meetings, younger and middle-aged evacuees prefer interactive discussions. These findings suggest that effective risk communication should not only provide accessible and scientifically grounded information but also align with the diverse preferences of different demographic groups.
Finally, the results of this study argue for a more systematic implementation of the co-expertise process recommended by the ICRP taking into account the specificity of the Futaba situation as underlined in the discussion. Based on dialogue between all stakeholders and the involvement of residents in radioactivity measurements alongside experts, this process gradually enables those affected to better understand the radiological situation they face and make informed decisions on how to protect themselves( ICRP, 2020). Experience gained in this area following the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents has amply demonstrated the effectiveness of the process.
In the future, the focus at Futaba should certainly be on promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder engagement, as well as ensuring sustained dialogue between returning evacuees and newcomers. Ultimately, rebuilding Futaba goes beyond physical reconstruction and requires addressing the long-term concerns of the people who permanently reside in the municipality and those who come to work there every day, gradually rebuilding trust with experts and authorities, and empowering residents to make informed decisions about their future. The Futaba case demonstrates that technical recovery( e. g., decontamination, infrastructure reconstruction) alone is not sufficient to ensure social recovery( Schneider & Lochard 2021). Emotional, psychological, and community aspects are essential to rebuild trust and encourage a return to normalcy. This study, which focuses on a period immediately preceding the town’ s full reopening, provides a baseline for future monitoring studies. It will be important to understand how residents’ concerns evolve, particularly as more people move in and the town reestablishes basic services and community functions. Continued monitoring of risk perception, social integration, and the effectiveness of communication strategies is necessary to support long-term recovery goals and inform future policies in disaster-affected areas.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to express their special thanks to the residents of Futaba town for their cooperation. They also thank their colleagues from the Departments of Global Health, Medicine, and Welfare, and of Health Risk Control at the Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, for their useful comments, their encouragement all along the preparation of the article.
Funding
No specific funding was received for this study.