Environmental Justice and Addressing Radioactive Contamination: Fukushima Nuclear Accident in Japan and the Withdrawal of Evacuation Orders in 2017

In the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster, the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company, the owner and operator of the plant, were criticized for that they concealed crucial information about the disaster. News of more violations has begun to surface since rehabilitation and revitalization efforts began at the areas contaminated by radioactive emissions. In this report, I seek to examine the new claims from the standpoint of a fieldworker in Fukushima.

The Japanese government repealed evacuation orders in 2017. However, while it was estimated that over 32,000 residents could return to their homes, only about 1,000 residents have returned to these areas. The government insists that these areas are habitable as the annual cumulative radioactive dose is estimated to be lower than 20 millisieverts. On the other hand, many Japanese believe that only an annual cumulative dose of lower than 1 millisievert is safe. There is also a notable lack of communication between the government and people who claim the latter. The lack of communication has led to problems related to social and environmental justice.

While the sustainability and resilience of these communities have been threatened because of decline of population and aging, in the name of revitalization, forests and farms are replaced by factories and solar panels; some are even converted into radioactive waste storage areas. Some residents have expressed their concerns against the conversion of farm lands and forests. However, it is difficult to facilitate a democratic conversation to chart long-term plans for these areas because large numbers of ex-residents have not returned. For, democratic decision-making is an important component of justice.

Japanese nuclear energy policies have long been criticized for the exclusion and displacement they engender; the Fukushima incident does not challenge this allegation.