Recognition of Japanese university students one year after the discharge of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

TL;DR

This study examined how Japanese university students felt about treated water being released from a nuclear power plant a year after it started, finding most accepted it when informed.

Contribution

The study identifies factors influencing acceptance of treated water discharge among university students and suggests effective communication strategies.

Findings

85.7% of participants accepted the discharge of treated water into the ocean.

Acceptance was linked to science majors, information exposure, and belief in government transparency.

Television and newspapers were the most common sources of information about the discharge.

Abstract

The study clarified the perceptions of the Japanese university students regarding their acceptance of the discharge of treated water (DTW) into the Pacific Ocean approximately a year after the process began. Among the 1453 study participants, 1246 (85.7%) showed DTW acceptability, and 207 (14.3%) were unacceptable. Compared to non-acceptance group, majoring in science, experience collecting information or knowledge about DTW, the ability to explain the difference between contaminated water and treated water, the belief that the Japanese government provides accurate information about DTW, the belief that decision-making of the Japanese public is calm and rational about the DTW, and having no feel reluctant to consume kinds of seafood in Fukushima were independently associated with the acceptance group. Furthermore, the most common way to collect information about DTW was via television or newspapers. The paper suggested that effectively conveying information about DTW to the younger generation is best done passively, such as through TV, street flyers, or Internet advertisements. Participants who had received some kind of information about DTW were more likely to accept DTW than those who had not. The health and environmental effects of DTW from FDNPS are limited; therefore, this complex issue must be dealt with calmly.

Figures