Citation

Hayakawa M. Ann. ICRP 2016; 45(2 Suppl): 123-128.

Affiliation

Fukushima-Minpo Co., Ltd, 13-17 Otamachi, Fukushima-shi, Fukushima-ken 960-8602, Japan hayakawa@fukushima-minpo.co.jp.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, International Commission on Radiological Protection, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0146645316666707

PMID

27703057

Abstract

In Fukushima Prefecture, disaster-related death is a social problem for individuals who were forced to leave their hometowns as a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Disaster-related death is caused by stress, exhaustion, and worsening of pre-existing illnesses due to evacuation. The number of disaster-related deaths has reached almost 2000, and continues to rise. Prolonged uncertainty and deteriorating living conditions suggest no end to such deaths, although response measures have been taken to improve the situation. It is said that insufficient response measures were taken, in particular, during the transitional period between the emergency phase and the reconstruction phase. There is a need to apply the lessons learned in planning for evacuation after a nuclear hazard, considering radiological protection as well as risks associated with evacuation.

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Language: en