Evaluating Risk Communication After the Fukushima Disaster Based on Nudge Theory.
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.
1 Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan.
Michio
M
Murakami
2 Soma Central Hospital, Soma City, Fukushima, Japan.|3 Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma City, Fukushima, Japan.
Masaharu
M
Tsubokura
D003142:Communication; D062406:Fukushima Nuclear Accident; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D011582:Psychological Theory; D018570:Risk Assessment
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident; nudge; radiation risk; risk communication; system’s default design; the Great East Japan Earthquake