Two level tsunami hazards were assigned to reflect tsunami sizes after the massive tsunami generated by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake devastated East Japan. Furthermore, measures for disaster management and reduction are planned, while discussions are to be held on reducing disasters around vital facilities in coastal areas. In areas around nuclear facilities, it is even more important for necessary measures to be prepared in anticipation of any facility-related accidents that may result from the devastation caused by a tsunami. To better manage and mitigate tsunami disasters in areas around nuclear facilities, it is vital for power utilities as well as the national and local governments to fulfill their assigned roles in a coordinated manner and work together with municipalities and local residents.
The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has been promoting risk communication by heeding the lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident. Based on the assumption that there is no such thing as absolute nuclear safety, risk communicators have been appointed to coordinate specific measures with the Social Communication Office established in the company. Both in coordination with each other are assigned to cultivate the social sensitivity of the Nuclear Power Department and the company as a whole to ensure that their way of thinking and criteria for judging are not out of touch with the rest of society. This commentary presents a series of dialogues that have been pursued with communities in Fukushima and Niigata.
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