Asia Pac J Public Health. 2017 Mar;29(2):193S-200S. doi: 10.1177/1010539517691338.

Evaluating Risk Communication After the Fukushima Disaster Based on Nudge Theory.

Asia-Pacific journal of public health

Michio Murakami, Masaharu Tsubokura

PMID: 28330399 DOI: 10.1177/1010539517691338

Abstract

Using nudge theory and some examples of risk communication that followed the Fukushima disaster, this article discusses the influences and justifications of risk communication, in addition to how risk communication systems are designed. To assist people in making decisions based on their own value systems, we provide three suggestions, keeping in mind that people can be influenced (ie, "nudged") depending on how risk communication takes place: (1) accumulate knowledge on the process of evaluating how the method of risk communication and a system's default design could impact people; (2) clarify the purpose and outcomes of risk communication; and (3) see what risk communication might be ethically unjustifiable. Quantitative studies on risk communication and collective narratives will provide some ideas for how to design better risk communication systems and to help people make decisions. Furthermore, we have shown examples of unjustifiable risk communication.

Keywords: Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident; nudge; radiation risk; risk communication; system’s default design; the Great East Japan Earthquake

MeSH terms

• Communication*
• Fukushima Nuclear Accident*
• Humans
• Japan
• Psychological Theory*
• Risk Assessment

Publication Types

• Evaluation Study
• Journal Article