A study of current status and issues concerning planning for revitalization of Fukushima after Fukushima nuclear disaster

Abstract

On 11 March 2011, the nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station was generated by the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake. The accident caused a massive amount of radioactive materials to spread across a wide area and forced more than 160,000 residents to evacuate their hometowns for a long period of time. The only similar event to have occurred is the Chernobyl disaster of 1986 which, like the Fukushima disaster, was rated 7 (the most serious level) by the International Nuclear Event Scale. Dr Kawasaki Kota, based at the Faculty of Symbiotic Systems Science, Fukushima University, has dedicated his career to understanding more about the impact of the Fukushima disaster. He is now conducting research on recovery after the Fukushima disaster, with the aim of rehabilitating victims and regenerating affected areas. The research has significant academic and practical implications for the livelihood rehabilitation of disaster victims and the regeneration of affected areas. It also has international academic significance because of the small amount of research concerning the recovery from nuclear disasters, and will contribute to consider how to create a sustainable future and more resilient human society.