Role of government and information trust in public perception of environmental risk: a case study of treated contaminated water discharge in Fukushima

Despite growing public concern regarding the marine discharge of Fukushima treated contaminated water (FTCW), trust aspects related to risk perception remain underexplored. We used a nationally representative survey in South Korea to investigate the independent and interactive associations of government and information trust with cognitive and affective dimensions of risk perception regarding FTCW. Increased government trust was associated with lower perceived risk, consistent with the “paradox of trust” theory. Information trust functioned as a conditional factor, where the association between government trust and risk perception was notably attenuated among those who viewed information as non-exaggerated. Risk perception was notably higher among women, low-income groups, and primary industry workers, reflecting socioeconomic vulnerability. This study advances theoretical understanding by highlighting that information appraisal conditions institutional trust dynamics, challenging traditional information deficit models. Practically, it underscores the need for context-congruent communication and sequencing to foster public support for nuclear-related policy.