Research Overview and Reports

A paper on research at Yamakiya and activities with local residents was published in the Journal of the French Society for Radiation Protection.

Title

A Study on Collaborative Practices, Including Dialogue Between Experts and Residents and Radiation Measurements, in Former Evacuation Zones in Fukushima Prefecture
—Based on a Case Study in Kawamata Town, Yamakiya District—
(Dialogue, radiation measurements, and other collaborative practices by experts and residents in the former evacuation areas of Fukushima: A case study in Yamakiya District, Kawamata)

Authors

^{Tetsuo Yasutaka a}, ^{Yumiko Kanai a}, ^{Momo Kurihara a}, ^{Tatsuaki Kobayashi b}, ^{Akihiko Kondō c}, ^{Terumasa Takahashi b}, ^{Yujiro Kuroda d}

1. National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
2. Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University
3. Chiba University Center for Environmental Remote Sensing Research
4. Fukushima Prefectural Environmental Creation Center

Abstract

　Over the nine years following the disaster, the authors have collaborated in the Yamakiya District of Kawamata Town, Fukushima Prefecture (Fig. 1), to conduct research on environmental radioactivity and to implement interactive learning activities involving both residents of the Yamakiya District who had returned home and outsiders. The interactive learning program “Yamakiya School,” which began after the residents’ return, has been held 29 times, with a total of more than 500 participants from Japan and abroad.
　This paper summarizes the collaboration between researchers and local residents during these nine years of post-disaster activities, the changes in needs and relationships, and the impact these activities have had on local residents. It also examines the nature of the relationship between researchers and local residents in the context of large-scale environmental disasters.

Figure 1: Location and scenery of the Yamakiya district in Kawamata Town; Turkish carnations and anthuriums, which are widely cultivated there

Changes in Dialogue and Activities Between Researchers and Local Residents: (Figure 2)

　Since 2012, the authors have held annual briefing sessions in Yamakiya to report to residents on the results of surveys regarding radioactive cesium in rivers, forests, and farmland, as well as individual radiation doses. Initially, these sessions took the form of resident briefings where experts “unilaterally” conveyed the results of environmental surveys; however, there was a gap between the research findings and the residents’ needs.
To address this, in the second phase, recognizing the importance of understanding residents’ needs, the approach shifted to emphasize “two-way” dialogue between experts and residents. Furthermore, in the third phase following the lifting of the evacuation order, the scope of dialogue and activities (including the two-way learning program “Yamakiya School”) expanded from a focus on “radiation” to encompass the broader context of “daily life” as a whole.
　　　　　　　　　

Figure 2: Evolution of Participating Residents’ Concerns and Experts’ Approaches in the Yamakiya District

Activities of the “Yamakiya School” Interactive Learning Program

　　In 2015, experts and residents jointly launched the interactive learning program “Yamakiya School.”To date, the program has been held 29 times, with a total of over 500 researchers, students, and citizens from Japan and abroad participating. Through diverse activities—including learning about the effects of radiation and the current situation in the Yamakiya district, the conditions of the area following the return of residents, and agricultural activities centered on life in the satoyama and flower cultivation—participants deepened their understanding of the disaster-affected region (Figures 3 and 4).
　　On the other hand, while 15 local residents have participated in the program, only five have attended five or more sessions; the program has thus relied on the active participation of a small group of residents and has not yet evolved into a program for the entire community.

Figure 3: Changes in Participant Numbers at Yamakiya School

Figure 4: A portion of the Yamakiya School’s activities

(Left: Wild vegetable foraging and radioactive cesium concentration measurement led by local residents as instructors;
Center: Hands-on learning in lisianthus cultivation; Right: Miso-making)

Effects of the Interactive Learning Program “Yamakiya School”

　Furthermore, regarding the effects of such interactive learning programs on the local community—specifically their impact on issues facing the region, such as “radiation-related concerns (environmental safety, safety of agricultural and forestry products, and unfounded rumors),” “the local community,” and “resumption of agricultural activities”—we compiled findings through interviews with participating residents of the Yamakiya district. Examples of key responses are shown below.

• Impact of Radiation: Visits from a diverse group of participants, including students, helped restore confidence in the local environment and safety, including regarding the effects of radiation. (“I already understood the safety situation myself, but having people from outside the community visit gave me even more confidence.”)
• Local Community: Through interactions with visitors, residents were able to reaffirm the value of local produce (wild vegetables and mushrooms), flower cultivation, and traditions (festivals), while also being exposed to new values. Continuing these efforts may lead to new developments.
• Resuming Farming: While these activities contribute to some extent to addressing local challenges such as population decline and labor shortages, they do not directly solve these issues.

As described above, this paper reports on a case in which experts and residents interacted and influenced one another. The authors hope to continue deepening their understanding of the current situation in the region and to contribute to the reconstruction of the disaster-affected area and the improvement of residents’ living environments.

[Acknowledgments]
We would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Genkatsu Sugano, Mr. Genei Sugano, the late Ms. Akiko Sugano, Mr. Katsuhisa Hirono, Ms. Kuniko Hirono, Mr. Akihiko Hirono, Mr. Asao Sugano, Mr. Kinichi Ouchi, Mr. Goki Taniguchi, Mr. Katsunobu Honda, Mr. Koichi Shigihara, the town of Kawamata, and all the local residents of Yamakiya for their cooperation in the field survey and all related activities.This research was supported by a grant from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (18H04141).

[Original Publication]
https://www.radioprotection.org/articles/radiopro/full_html/2020/05/radiopro200047/radiopro200047.html#ack