Risk Perception and Communication in International Maritime Shipping in Japan after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Disaster

This paper investigated the contamination-related impact of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster in Japan on seaport activities and international maritime shipping. Risk perception and risk communication after the disaster were analyzed. The maritime-related newspaper articles published in Japan after this disaster were extensively reviewed. Eleven maritime-related agents, including port managers, governments, shipping companies, port operators, and shippers, were interviewed. These interviews were conducted from June to December 2011. The results of the interviews revealed that the contamination-related impact of the power plant disaster comprised impacts on (a) major Japanese ports, including Keihin ports, that were skipped (not called at) by 42 container vessels operated by non-Japanese shipping companies; (b) foreign ports and the measurement of radiation of Japanese cargo; and (c) actions taken by the Japanese government and port managers. The framework of social amplification of risk communication was used to explain the events observed after the disaster. Use of this framework suggests that the risk communication made by maritime stakeholders successfully reduced the amplification of risk among stakeholders at various levels of information sources, information channels, and stations. A summary of lessons from the study includes the identification of factors that influenced the amplification of risk, quick responses, and appropriate countermeasures by authorities and port managers, and the introduction of systematic radiation measurement under the international agreement.

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