Fukushima twelve years after the nuclear accident

Purpose This paper analyzes the structure of recovery policies in Fukushima, discusses the current situation of the affected areas and the affected people of Fukushima 12 years after the Fukushima nuclear accident occurred and points out issues concerning revitalization of Fukushima based on the results of field surveys of the affected areas, as well as interviews and questionnaires of the affected people and literature reviews. Design/methodology/approach After the Fukushima nuclear accident occurred in March 2011, what policies have been implemented? To what extent have the affected areas of Fukushima been regenerated? To what extent have the affected people of Fukushima rebuilt their lives? What are the issues that need to be addressed for the revitalization of Fukushima? Since the Fukushima nuclear accident occurred, the author has continued to conduct field surveys of the affected areas, as well as interviews and questionnaires of the affected people, and literature review. This paper aims to answer three questions based on the results of these surveys and reviews. Findings First, the nuclear disaster is characterized by its wide-area and long-term nature. Second, recovery of the affected areas by public projects do not have sufficient effect on rebuilding of the lives of the affected people since most of the affected people do not return to the affected areas. Third, it is necessary to establish a legal system for disaster prevention, recovery and revitalization suited to the characteristics of the nuclear disaster in order to promote rebuilding of the lives of the affected people and for the recovery of the affected areas. Originality/value There is little literature that has been systematically examined regarding the recovery from the Fukushima nuclear accident. This paper discusses the current status and issues of recovery from nuclear disaster 12 years after the nuclear accident, based on my experiences as the chairperson of the Fukushima Prefecture Recovery Planning Committee and the chairperson of the Recovery Planning Committee in several municipalities where evacuation orders were issued after the Fukushima nuclear accident occurred.