Why Do They Not Come Home? Three Cases of Fukushima Nuclear Accident Evacuees

Naomi Ito (), Nobuaki Moriyama, Ayako Furuyama, Hiroaki Saito, Toyoaki Sawano, Isamu Amir, Mika Sato, Yurie Kobashi, Tianchen Zhao, Chika Yamamoto, Toshiki Abe and Masaharu Tsubokura
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Naomi Ito: Department of Radiation Health Management, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Nobuaki Moriyama: Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Ayako Furuyama: Health Promotion Center, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Hiroaki Saito: Department of Radiation Health Management, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Toyoaki Sawano: Department of Radiation Health Management, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Isamu Amir: Department of Radiation Health Management, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Mika Sato: Department of Health Nursing of International Radiation Exposure, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Yurie Kobashi: Department of Radiation Health Management, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Tianchen Zhao: Department of Radiation Health Management, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Chika Yamamoto: Department of Radiation Health Management, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Toshiki Abe: Department of Radiation Health Management, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
Masaharu Tsubokura: Department of Radiation Health Management, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-7

Abstract: Many people wish to return to where they used to live after evacuation due to disaster. After the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, many residents were forced to evacuate due to concerns about radiation. Subsequently, the evacuation order was lifted, and the government promoted a return policy. However, it has been reported that a considerable number of residents living in evacuation sites or other areas wish to return but are unable to do so. Here, we report three cases of Japanese men and one woman who evacuated after the 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima. These cases reveal the rapid aging of residents and their health issues. These issues suggest that enhancing medical supply systems and access to medical care can aid in post-disaster reconstruction and residents’ returning.

Keywords: disaster; returning home; Fukushima nuclear accident; local residents; health issues; aging in place (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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