Anti-nuclear activities and public awareness in Japan before and after the Fukushima nuclear disaster

Before 3.11 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japanese government policy to promote nuclear energy has been too stable and too coherent since mid-1960s regardless of so many changes in related spheres and other countries, and the change of government in Sept. 2009. I explained it based on the following factors: (1) the centralized political system under one party dominant system was not so open to movement influence, and the electrical utilities maintained monopoly control over the energy market for several decades (POS), (2) relatively weak anti-nuclear groups lack of financial base and professional staffs (resources) and (3) framing “extremely dependent upon external energy supplies” and strong faith in technology (framing). (4) While they were relatively unconcerned about supply of electricity, majority of people had basic trust in Japanese government, electrical utility company and Japanese technology.

The Fukushima nuclear disaster drastically changed this situation. People suddenly forced to face real nuclear risks and radiation exposure. People got strongly angry at, distrust of and disappointed at national government, TEPCO, media and nuclear experts. Public awareness on public opinion poll by newspaper shifted to more negative from mid May. 1) People realized the seriousness of the situation. 2) Prime minister’s announcement of demanding to temporally close the Hamaoka plants triggered the shift of public opinion. There is sharp contrast with few media coverage on negative side against nuclear energy, before 3.11.

New characteristics of current upheaval anti-nuclear activities are 1) using twitter and face book to mobilize like a “Jasmine revolution”, 2) new participants including non-political young mothers and students, farmers and fishermen, 3) typically using “sound demo” with music and songs, stressing self-expressiveness, 4) based on distrust of information disclosure and strong anxiety about the effects of radiation and 5) stressing “media activism”.