106 A. Zabirova et al.: Radioprotection 2025, 60( 1), 99 – 108
challenges residents face in rebuilding their lives in these towns. In comparison, in Kawauchi village, where the return began in 2012, about one year after the accident, the rate of return exceeded 80 %.
It is crucial to acknowledge certain limitations of the present study, such as potential survey biases and the complexity of the decision-making process, which cannot be fully captured solely through quantitative metrics. Future research could benefit from a more detailed exploration of residents’ narratives, including qualitative methodologies, to unravel the intricate interplay of emotions, experiences, and economic and social dynamics following a nuclear catastrophe.
A detailed analysis of the study provides valuable insights into the multifaceted challenges faced by Okuma and Tomioka residents in the aftermath of the nuclear disaster at the FDNPS. The low population return rate, intertwined with risk perception, concerns about environmental safety, and the role of social capital, paints a complex picture of recovery and rehabilitation efforts. Understanding these factors is crucial for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to support affected communities and develop targeted initiatives for the long-term recovery of the Fukushima region. As the world grapples with the consequences of nuclear disasters, the lessons learned from Fukushima underscore the importance of disaster preparedness, having a clear action plan, building trusting communities, and cultivating thought leaders.
The limitations of this study include potential response biases, a small sample size, and a cross-sectional design that restricted causal inferences. Also, the social capital assessment was limited in scope. While the study included measures of civic participation, social cohesion, and reciprocity to assess social capital, the scale may not have captured the full complexity of residents’ social networks and community connections. Additional dimensions of social capital, such as network density, trust level, social norms, the commons, and bridging ties could provide a more comprehensive understanding of community resilience and recovery( Aldrich et al., 2015; Onyx et al., 2000). Addressing these limitations requires careful consideration of alternative methodologies, such as longitudinal studies, mixed-method approaches, and inclusive sampling strategies, to enhance the validity, reliability, and generalizability of future research on residents’ post-disaster experiences and intentions to return to Tomioka and Okuma. Despite these limitations, the study contributes valuable insights into the challenges faced by coastal residents, emphasizing the need for targeted recovery initiatives and ongoing research.
In conclusion, our study revealed that 57.7 % of respondents were concerned about DTW, and 67.2 % had a willingness to acquire information about it. Those desiring to return demonstrated the highest concern about DTW compared to other ITR groups. Further, returnees had stronger SC of social cohesion, better health assessments, and lower risk perceptions regarding the genetic effects and consumption of local foods, compared to non-returnees. Residents of areas affected by the FDNPS accident remain concerned about various issues regarding radiation. Considerations regarding the issue of returning to areas affected by a nuclear power plant accident should be included in the future recommendations of the ICRP( Bourguignon 2022, Clement et al., 2021, 2022). It is important to continue efforts to assess the specific concerns of former and relocating new residents and to provide them with appropriate support.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank all study participants and staff members of Tomioka and Okuma towns, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.
Funding
This work was supported by the Research on the Health Effects of Radiation program organized by Japan’ s Ministry of the Environment.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Data availability statement
The research data associated with this article are included within the article.
Author contribution statement
A. Zabirova: Writing original draft, H. Matsunaga, M. Orita, A. Zabirova: Conceptualization, Methodology, Y. Kashiwazaki, X. Xiao: Visualization, Investigation, T. Schneider: Writing-Reviewing and Editing., N. Takamura: Supervision, Writing-Reviewing and Editing.
Ethics approval
All processes in this study were reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences( No. 21082702).
Informed consent
Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.
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