A Proposal of New Nuclear Communication Scheme Based on Qualitative Research

Abstract

An action research project called dialogue forum has been conducted in this study. The essential constituent of the project is a series of repetitive dialogue sessions carried out by lay citizens, nuclear experts, and a facilitator. One important feature of the project is that the study has been conducted based on the qualitative research methodology. The changes in opinions and attitude of the dialogue participants have been analyzed by an ethno-methodological approach. The observations are summarized as follows. The opinions of the citizen participants showed a signiˆcant shift from emotional to practical representations along with the progression of the dialogue sessions. Meanwhile, their attitude showed a marked tendency from problem-statement-oriented to problem-solving-oriented representation. On the other hand, the statements of the expert participants showed a signiˆcant shift from expert-based to citizen-based risk recognition and description, and their attitude showed a clear tendency from teaching-oriented to colearning-oriented thinking. These changes of opinions and attitude have been interpreted as a coevolving rather than a single process. It can be stressed that this type of change is most important for the reestablishment of mutual trust between the citizens and the nuclear experts. In this regard``The Process Model of Coevolution of Risk Recognition'' has been proposed as a guideline for developing a new scheme of public communication concerning nuclear technology. The proposed process model of coevolution of risk recognition is regarded to be essential for appropriate relationship management between nuclear technology and society in the near future.

Risk Communication on Health Effects of Low-dose Ionizing Radiation

“…Participatory approaches are taken either through consultative bodies that are operated to build consensus on community development plans and waste management plans 3) or through committees that are formed by learned experts and citizens 4) . Dialog forums 5) are held to facilitate communication regarding radioactive waste.…”

International Risk Communication

“…Other countries, such as Sweden, have been more favorable (Sjöberg 2004). A Japanese public dialogue forum on nuclear technology gained success on two fronts: Citizens shifted into problem-solving mode and experts shifted from a teaching orientation to recognizing and describing risks based on citizen concerns (Yagi et al 2007).…”