scholarly journals Nonscalability of “citizen science” in post-Fukushima Japan: Unpacking articulations of citizen radiation measuring organizations

2021 ◽  
pp. 096366252110547
Author(s):  
Joke Kenens ◽  
Michiel Van Oudheusden ◽  
Ine van Hoyweghen ◽  
Nozomi Mizushima
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Radioactive Contamination ◽  
Nuclear Accident ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Accident ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Soil Air ◽  
Science Society ◽  
Japanese Science ◽  
Participatory Practices ◽  
Depth Interviews

This article explores and discusses understandings of citizen science with members of Japanese citizen radiation measuring organizations who began measuring radioactive contamination in food, soil, air, and human bodies after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident. Building on in-depth interviews with organization members and extensive multi-site fieldwork (2018, 2020), the article takes shimin kagaku (citizen science in Japanese) to examine articulations of citizenship and science, while discussing citizen radiation measuring organization activities. Adopting Tsing’s notion of nonscalability, it draws attention to the manifold articulations of citizenship and science, unearthing frictions embedded in Japanese science–society relations. In this way, this article outlines the diversity of notions of citizenship and science, and of citizen participatory practices in science. By bringing nonscalability to bear on an analysis of different articulations of shimin kagaku, this article encourages scientists and public authorities to engage with citizen participatory practices reflexively and responsibly by considering local articulations and knowledges.

scholarly journals Characteristics of radioactive contamination of vegetables derived from the Fukushima nuclear accident

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuhiro Shiba ◽  
Yoji Kitamura ◽  
Takashi Kozaka ◽  
Izumi Uno ◽  
Kikuo Shimizu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Contamination ◽  
Nuclear Accident ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Accident

scholarly journals Changing perspectives: tracing the evolution of citizen radiation measuring organizations after Fukushima

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. S249-S253 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kenens
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Radiation Monitoring ◽  
Nuclear Accident ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Accident ◽  
Fukushima Accident ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Data Production ◽  
Fukushima Disaster

Although bottom-up citizen science in the field of radiation monitoring is not a new phenomenon, the organizations established in the wake of the Fukushima accident exceed preceding organizations in numbers, in space and in data production. Almost 10 years after the Fukushima nuclear accident, citizen radiation measuring organizations continue their activities stressing the importance of transparency, education and participation, despite the issues they are facing. Drawing on research on citizen science and results from fieldwork conducted in Japan, this paper reflects on the evolution of grassroots citizen science initiatives, contrasting their activities in the immediate aftermath of the Fukushima disaster to present day. By showing how some organizations have grown and others faded away, it demonstrates the intertwining and flexibility of citizen science initiatives in addressing concerns and needs expressed by local communities.

Food Safety Concerns in Tokushima

2020 ◽  
pp. 224-241
Author(s):  
Catherine Burns ◽  
Anne Cullen ◽  
Kumiko Katayama
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Radioactive Contamination ◽  
Nuclear Accident ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Accident ◽  
Geographical Proximity ◽  
Common View ◽  
Consumer Responses ◽  
Safety Concerns ◽  
The Impact

This chapter offers a qualitative examination of the perceptions of food safety and purchasing practices of members from two consumer co-operatives in contemporary rural Japan. Few studies have focused on the impact of the Fukushima nuclear accident on consumers residing far from contaminated areas. A common view is that geographical proximity and the elapse of time determine the degree of consumer concern about radioactivity: fears diminish with distance and time. However, some scholars argue that distance from Fukushima is exacerbating unfounded fears about radioactive contamination of foods and therefore consumers continue to avoid purchasing Fukushima produce. These 'avoiders' tend to be portrayed in unflattering terms. This study explores a sample of consumer responses to Fukushima produce, sources of trust, and the role of the co-operative.

Development of Radioactive Contamination Map of Fukushima Nuclear Accident

2012 ◽  
pp. 93-104
Author(s):  
Akiyuki Seki ◽  
Hiroshi Takemiya ◽  
Fumiaki Takahashi ◽  
Kimiaki Saito ◽  
Kei Tanaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Contamination ◽  
Nuclear Accident ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Accident

Radioactive contamination monitoring for the Korean public following Fukushima nuclear accident

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 ◽  
pp. 371-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wi-Ho Ha ◽  
Jaeryong Yoo ◽  
Seokwon Yoon ◽  
Min-Jeong Pak ◽  
Seyong Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Contamination ◽  
Nuclear Accident ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Accident

scholarly journals The HotSpot Code as a Tool to Improve Risk Analysis During Emergencies: Predicting I-131 and CS-137 Dispersion in the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-486
Author(s):  
Andrea Malizia ◽  
Andrea Chierici ◽  
Sergio Biancotto ◽  
Marco D’Arienzo ◽  
Gian Marco Ludovici ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Analysis ◽  
Computational Modeling ◽  
Radioactive Contamination ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Nuclear Accident ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Accident ◽  
High Energy Particle ◽  
Particle Accelerators ◽  
Energy Particle

Conventional and non-conventional emergencies are among the most important safety and security concerns of the new millennium. Nuclear power and research plants, high-energy particle accelerators, radioactive substances for industrial and medical uses are all considered credible sources of threats both in warfare and in terror scenarios. Estimates of potential radiation releases of radioactive contamination related to these threats are therefore essential in order to prepare and respond to such scenarios. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate that computational modeling codes to simulate transport of radioactivity are extremely valuable to assess expected radiation levels and to improve risk analysis during emergencies helping the emergency planner and the first responders in the first hours of an occurring emergency.

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