Thyroid ultrasound findings in young and middle-aged adults living in the region of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

Nearly forty years have passed since the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident, which resulted in childhood and adolescent thyroid cancers increasing due to internal exposure to iodine-131. Therefore, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, in 2011, raised serious anxiety about potential risks of thyroid cancers. Considering the causal relationship between thyroid cancer and the Chornobyl accident, radiation dose to the thyroid due to this accident should be considered carefully. In addition, a thorough investigation of any influence of ultrasound screening of the thyroid on the detection of thyroid diseases was still missing. Consequently, from 2019 to 2021, the frequency of abnormal thyroid findings from screening of residents in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, which was heavily contaminated by the accident, was evaluated in this study. For this, the same diagnostic classification of any thyroid ultrasound findings as those of the Fukushima Health Management Survey were used. This classification used the categories "A1" (no findings), "A2" (thyroid cysts less than 20 mm and/or thyroid nodules less than 5 mm), and "B" (thyroid cysts more than 20 mm and/or thyroid nodules more than 5 mm). 2,978 participants were analyzed. It was found that the frequency of "B" findings increased with age. This may be due to the observed increased incidence of not only malignant but also benign thyroid nodules. It may well be that such an increase will also be observed in Fukushima in the future. It is concluded that future thyroid examiners in Fukushima should be aware of findings specific to adults, such as chronic thyroiditis. For comparison, it will be necessary to perform longitudinal studies in the Japanese population not exposed to radiation from the Fukushima accident.

Thoughts, perceptions and concerns of coastal residents regarding the discharge of tritium-containing treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean.

BACKGROUND: As a part of the decontamination process after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident of 2011, 1.32 million tonnes of tritium-containing water will be discharged from the power plant into the Pacific Ocean. Although radiobiological impacts of the treated water discharge on the public and the environment were reported to be minimal, Tomioka and Okuma locals expressed unease regarding the long-term recovery of their towns, which are economically dependent on the agricultural, fishery, and tourism sectors. This study presents thoughts, perceptions and concerns of Tomioka and Okuma locals regarding the discharge of FDNPP-treated water containing tritium into the Pacific Ocean to facilitate a more inclusive decision-making process that respects local stakeholder interests. METHODS: Conducted from November to December 2022, surveys were mailed to current residents and evacuees aged 20 years or older registered with the town councils. RESULTS: Out of 1268 included responses, 71.5% were from those > 65 years. 65.6% were unemployed, 76.2% routinely visited hospitals, and 85.5% did not live with children. 61% did not want to return to Okuma/Tomioka. Anxiety about radiation-related health effects (38.7%), consuming food produced in Okuma/Tomioka (48.0%) and genetic effects (45.3%) were low. >50% reported poor physical and mental health. 40% were acceptive, 31.4% were unsure, and 29.7% objected to the discharge plans. Multinomial regression analysis revealed that, compared to acceptive responders, those who objected were more likely to be female, unemployed, and have anxiety about radiation-related genetic effects and poor mental health. Unsure responders were similarly more likely to be female, anxious about radiation-related genetic effects and have poor mental health. CONCLUSION: The poor mental health of the locals, connected to high levels of risk perception and anxiety about the loss of economic opportunities related to the discharge plans, must be addressed. The 30-year discharge process could handicap local industries and hamper post-disaster socioeconomic recovery due to the circulation of false rumours among consumers. These results highlight the need to actively involve residents in the towns' recovery process to address local concerns. The focus should be on the judicious combination of transparent science with the human aspect of recovery and narratives highlighting dialogues between local stakeholders and experts to enable the locals and the general public to make informed decisions about their protection and future.

Risk perception regarding implementation of iodine thyroid blocking during a nuclear disaster of mothers living near a nuclear power station in Japan.

Pre-emptive evacuation orders following the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) in March 2011 and subsequent regulatory limits regarding contaminated food, milk, and water minimized the external and internal radiation exposure doses of nearby residents. However, with regard to implementation of iodine thyroid blocking (ITB), residents were confused because no information on the matter was released by the central and/or local governments. Based on lessons learned from the FDNPS accident, many countries have revised their guidelines regarding ITB during nuclear disasters. To adequately revise such guidelines and ensure effective ITB implementation during a nuclear disaster, however, residents' perceptions of ITB must be clarified. In this study, the perception of risks associated with ITB was investigated in mothers residing near the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant (SNPP) in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. Of the 520 mothers surveyed, 467 (89.8%) expressed anxiety regarding the administration of potassium iodine (KI) to their children. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the mothers' anxiety regarding the administration of KI to their children was positively correlated with their wish to consult an expert about KI and their hesitation to let their children eat foods produced in Fukushima, and negatively correlated with having confidence about administering KI to their children. Careful communication of potential risks to mothers residing near nuclear power plants is thus critical for implementing effective ITB in children.

Awareness of the implementation of stable iodine prophylaxis by parental guardians living in the urgent protective action planning zone of an operating nuclear power plant in Japan.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to clarify the characteristics and awareness of the need for protection against ionizing radiation, such as sheltering, evacuation, and implementing stable iodine prophylaxis, of guardians parenting young children living in an urgent protective action planning zone (UPZ) of an operating nuclear power plant in Japan. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to approximately 3000 guardians through 26 kindergartens located within a UPZ. Responses were obtained from 1172 who lived in the UPZ and were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Of the 1172 guardians, 460 (39.2%) responded that sheltering is not useful to reduce the dose of radiation exposure. On the other hand, 395 (33.7%) guardians responded that implementing stable iodine (SI) prophylaxis could prevent exposure from all radionuclides, and 876 (74.7%) responded that pregnant women should also implement SI prophylaxis in a nuclear emergency. Furthermore, 83.0% (973) responded that they wanted to receive pre-distribution of stable iodine (PDSI) for their children. On the other hand, 38.9% (456) of guardians had not known about SI before the study, and 71.8% (841) of guardians felt anxious about implementing SI prophylaxis for their children. CONCLUSION: Most guardians had expectations regarding SI and received PDSI, but they felt anxious about implementing SI prophylaxis for their children. It is essential that guardians living in the UPZ of restarted nuclear power plants be educated, and that risk communication about protection against ionizing radiation, including the side effects of implementing SI prophylaxis and radiation health effects, be conducted.

Psychological health status among former residents of Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture and their intention to return 8 years after the disaster at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

The present study aimed to clarify the psychological status of 766 former residents of Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture, and their intent to return (ITR) 8 years after the disaster at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. We investigated their ITR home and their perception of the risk of health effects from radiation exposure. We also evaluated rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using a PTSD checklist (PCL-S) and of psychological stress using the patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Among the residents, 102 (13%) had returned home (group 1), 214 (28%) were unsure about returning (group 2), and 450 (59%) had decided not to return (group 3). Concern about exposing the next generation to radiation was significantly more prevalent in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1. The frequency of positive PCL-S and PHQ-9 responses was higher in group 2 than in groups 1 and 3. Factors that were independently associated with returning to Tomioka were positive PCL-S (OR, 4.3) and PHQ-9 (OR, 2.2) scores, concerns about consuming locally sourced food, and living with children, and were more prevalent in group 2 than group 1 (reference). Group 2 was more anxious about radiation exposure and health effects, and had higher rates of psychological stress and PTSD. Providing support to such residents through careful risk communication will be required to recover this community after the nuclear disaster.

Health-related quality of life in Japanese patients with prostate cancer following proton beam therapy: an institutional cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Many treatment options have guaranteed long-term survival in patients with localized prostate cancer and health-related quality of life has become a greater concern for those patients. The purpose of this study was to reveal the health-related quality of life after proton beam therapy and to clarify the differences from other treatment modalities for prostate cancer. METHODS: Between January 2011 and April 2016, 583 patients were enrolled in the study and health-related quality of life outcomes using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire were evaluated and compared with previous research targeted at Japanese patients. RESULTS: We found a significant decrease in the least square mean scores for urinary and bowel domains excluding the incontinence subscale after proton beam therapy (P < 0.0001) and recovery at a year following treatment. The scores for sexual function in patients without androgen deprivation therapy decreased each year after proton beam therapy (P < 0.0001). The scores for hormones in patients without androgen deprivation therapy remained high and those of patients with androgen deprivation therapy were lower before treatment but were comparable to those of non-androgen deprivation therapy patients at 2 years post-treatment. We found that the impact of radiotherapy including proton beam therapy on urinary condition and sexual function was lower than that of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time in Japan, we investigated health-related quality of life using Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaires in patients with prostate cancer after proton beam therapy and compared it with other treatment modalities.

Evaluation of environmental contamination and estimated exposure doses after residents return home in Kawauchi Village, Fukushima Prefecture.

The external and internal exposure doses due to artificial radionuclides after the return of residents to their homes in Kawauchi Village, Fukushima Prefecture, including the restricted area within a 20-km radius from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP), were evaluated by gamma spectrometry of the soils and local agricultural products. The prevalent dose-forming artificial radionuclides from all samples were determined to be (134)Cs and (137)Cs (radiocesium). The estimated external effective doses from soils sampled on December 24 and 25, 2012 were 0.0017-9.2 mSv/y in the areas within a 20- to 30-km radius from the FNPP and 0.39-1.3 mSv/y in the areas within a 20-km radius from the FNPP. These levels appeared to be decreasing, despite the distance from the FNPP (median: 0.21 (0.012-0.56) mSv/y), compared to the levels just before the return of the residents to their homes on December 19 and 20, 2011 (median: 0.85 (0.40-1.4) mSv/y). The committed effective doses from the local agricultural samples in Kawauchi Village from May 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013 were sufficiently low, in the range of 18-44 µSv/y for males and 20-48 µSv/y for females (the range was 18-48 µSv/y for children and 25-43 µSv/y for adults), compared to the public dose limit (1 mSv/y, ICRP, 1991), although the potential for radiation exposure still exists. Residents who have not yet returned may be able to return to their homes with a long-term follow-up of environmental monitoring and countermeasures to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure.

Risk perception in long-term evacuees of Futaba town, Fukushima: a cross-sectional study reveals greater concerns outside the prefecture, 12 years after the accident.

For over 12 years since the 2011 East Japan Earthquake, the decontamination of radioactive materials is still incomplete. Although evacuation orders had been lifted in ~15% of Futaba town, the site of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, by August 2022, anxiety regarding the effects of nuclear radiation persists among evacuees, and their intention to return (ITR) remains low. As of August 2023, only 90 residents lived there. As the only town with government functions relocated outside Fukushima Prefecture, Futaba has more residents who evacuated outside the prefecture. Although numerous factors affect risk perception and ITR to the place of previous residence, the impact of evacuation destination on risk perception remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of evacuation destination on radiation risk perception. In 2022, a survey was conducted on 404 evacuees aged >18 years. The responses were compared between groups outside and inside Fukushima using the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Significant relationships were found between the evacuation destination and risk perception of genetic effects in the next generation (odds ratio [OR] = 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-3.20) and of the health effects of radiation (OR = 1.76, 95%CI: 1.10-2.84), which were both higher in those who had evacuated outside Fukushima. These findings stress the importance of evacuation destination choice and information access for evacuees' risk perception. Enhanced education and support efforts are necessary to help evacuees not only in Fukushima but also throughout Japan.

Good stress management capability is associated with lower body mass index and restful sleep in the elderly.

Psychosocial stress is generally associated with adverse health behaviors and has been linked to the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Recently, an individual's sense of coherence (SOC), which is a concept that reflects the ability to cope with psychosocial stress, has been recognized as an essential component of long-term health and stress management. The association between SOC and traditional and alternative atherosclerotic markers in a community sample, however, has not been thoroughly investigated. In the present study, we evaluated stress management capability and psychological conditions using the Japanese version of the Sense of Coherence-13 (SOC-13) Scale, supplemented by the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) that screens for minor psychiatric disorders. The study subjects were 511 adults, median age 64 years (range 48-70), who participated in a regular medical screening program in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. We then correlated our findings with atherosclerotic risk factors in the same community sample, such as body mass index (BMI) and proper and regular sleeping habits. We found that close association between good stress management capability and lower BMI and/or regular sleeping habits in elderly Japanese. This provides strong evidence that BMI and sleep management are contributory to SOC. If the ability to cope with psychosocial stress is important to the prevention of CVD, then weight control and proper sleep habits must be emphasized from a psychosocial stress-management perspective as well as a physical one.

Comparison of quality of life between elderly and non-elderly adult residents in Okuma town, Japan, in a post-disaster setting.

With the growing elderly population who are susceptible to poor health, improvement of their quality of life is essential. In the post-disaster setting of the 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant (FDNPP) accident, affected municipalities such as Okuma town commenced their recovery processes and lifted evacuation orders in 2019. This study examines the differences in self-reported mental and physical health status, social functioning, risk perception, and intention to return between elderly (age ≥65 years) and non-elderly (age 20-64 years) residents. Questionnaires were distributed to current residents and evacuees of Okuma. Results revealed that the elderly had a 1.4 times higher odds ratio (95%CI 1.0-1.8, p = 0.034) for having anxiety regarding radiation-related health effects on future generations and a 1.3 times higher odds ratio (95%CI 1.1-1.5, p = 0.001) for wanting to know about the release of FDNPP-treated water into the environment than the younger group. Elderly residents also demonstrated a 2.2 times higher odds ratio for reporting poor physical health than younger residents. Clearing misconceptions and disseminating coherent information will reduce risk perception among this group. Further in-depth research regarding the disposal of FDNPP-treated water and its perceived risks is required. Health promotion through the encouragement of social participation, improvement of surroundings to facilitate healthy behaviors, and enhanced access to health services will improve the quality of life of elderly Okuma residents.

Changes in the Intention to Return and the Related Risk Perception Among Residents and Evacuees of Tomioka Town 11 Years After the Fukushima Nuclear Accident.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined temporal trends in risk perception and intention to return to Tomioka among residents and evacuees with the aim of aiding community recovery. METHODS: Responses to questionnaires distributed in 2017 and 2021 were compared regarding demographic information, intention to return to Tomioka, desire to consult radiation experts, and risk perception such as anxiety about food consumption, drinking tap water, self-health, and genetic effects. Questionnaires were distributed to all persons registered with the Tomioka town council, both current residents and evacuees. RESULTS: In 2021, the proportion of responders who had already returned/ wanted to return and those who did not want to return increased by 3.2% and 6.8% respectively, and the proportion unsure about returning decreased by 10.1%. Anxiety for self-health decreased by 15.4%, for genetic effects decreased by 24.4%, for food consumption decreased by 30.9%, and the latter 2 remained significant factors among responders unsure of returning and among those who did not want to return in 2021. CONCLUSIONS: Risk perception for food and genetic effects was significantly associated with uncertainty about returning or not returning. There is a need for continual monitoring of risk perception trends and implementation of targeted risk communication strategies.

Frequency of visits to Tomioka town and related factors among evacuees more than a decade after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

This study aimed to clarify the frequency of visits (FOV) to Tomioka town, Japan, and related factors among evacuees more than a decade after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. A questionnaire survey was conducted on residents (age ≥ 18 years) who had residence cards in August 2021. Of the 2260 respondents, the FOV to Tomioka was as follows: 926 (41.0%) more than twice a year (Group 1 [G1]), 841 (37.2%) once a year (G2) and 493 (21.8%) no visits (G3). About 70% of the respondents who had decided not to return to Tomioka visited once a year or more. No significant differences in the FOV or radiation risk perception were found between groups. Multinomial logistic regression analysis using G3 as a reference revealed independent associations between living inside Fukushima in G1 (odds ratio [OR] = 5.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.1-7.3; P < 0.01) and G2 (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.8-3.0, P < 0.01), undecided about returning in G1 (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.9-3.3, P < 0.01), females in G1 (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.6-2.6, P < 0.01) and motivation to learn more about tritiated water in G2 (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3-2.4, P < 0.01). Overall, 80% of the residents had visited Tomioka within a decade after the accident. These findings suggest the need to continue the effective dissemination of information about the effects of a nuclear accident and the subsequent decommissioning process to evacuees after evacuation orders have been lifted.

Temporal variation in environmental radioactivity and radiation exposure doses in the restricted areas around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

Temporal variation and fluctuation in environmental contamination in Futaba town and Okuma town, the location of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP), were evaluated based on a car-borne survey conducted from October 2021 to November 2022. Although the environmental radioactivity in the interim storage facility area (ISF) was higher than that in open areas (i.e., the evacuation order lifted areas in Futaba town and the Specific Reconstruction and Regeneration Base area [SRRB] in Okuma town), only minor temporal changes were seen in the ambient dose and detection rate of radiocesium (the proportion of radiocesium detected points per all measuring points) in those areas, respectively. These findings suggest that the observed variations may result from physical decay and environmental remediation. Resuspension caused by human activities and weather could also affect the detection rate of radiocesium. The annual external effective doses in Futaba town and Okuma town were estimated to be at a limited level (< 1 mSv/year). Nevertheless, to help ensure the safety and future prosperity of residents and communities in the affected areas around the FDNPP, long-term follow-up monitoring of temporal exposure dose levels during the recovery and reconstruction phases is extremely important.

Assessment of Radiation Risk Perception and Interest in Tritiated Water among Returnees to and Evacuees from Tomioka Town within 20 km of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

In this study, we aimed to investigate radiation risk perception, mental health, and interest in tritiated water among evacuees from and returnees to Tomioka town, Japan, as well as to evaluate the intention to return (ITR) among evacuees living inside and outside Fukushima Prefecture. Of the 1728 respondents, 318 (18.4%) and 1203 (69.6%) participants reported living outside and inside Fukushima Prefecture, and 207 (12.0%) reported living in Tomioka. The ITR was not significantly different between those who lived inside and outside the prefecture among the evacuees. Similarly, there were no significant differences in radiation risk perception, mental health, and interest in tritiated water. However, the evacuees were independently associated with a motivation to learn about tritiated water (OR = 1.242, 95%Cl: 1.041-1.438, p = 0.016), reluctance to consume food from Tomioka (OR = 1.635, 95%Cl: 1.372-1.948, p < 0.001), and concern that adverse health effects would occur because of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident (OR = 1.279, 95%Cl: 1.055-1.550, p = 0.012) compared to returnees, according to logistic regression analysis. Interestingly, the returnees were found to have better mental health but lower life satisfaction than the evacuees. These findings suggest the importance of ongoing risk communication about radiation exposure and tritiated water among residents regardless of their place of residency.

Monitoring the autonomic nervous activity as the objective evaluation of music therapy for severely and multiply disabled children.

Severely and multiply disabled children (SMDC) are frequently affected in more than one area of development, resulting in multiple disabilities. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of music therapy in SMDC using monitoring changes in the autonomic nervous system, by the frequency domain analysis of heart rate variability. We studied six patients with SMDC (3 patients with cerebral palsy, 1 patient with posttraumatic syndrome after head injury, 1 patient with herpes encephalitis sequelae, and 1 patient with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome characterized by frequent seizures, developmental delay and psychological and behavioral problems), aged 18-26 (mean 22.5 ± 3.5). By frequency domain method using electrocardiography, we measured the high frequency (HF; with a frequency ranging from 0.15 to 0.4 Hz), which represents parasympathetic activity, the low frequency/high frequency ratio, which represents sympathetic activity between the sympathetic and parasympathetic activities, and heart rate. A music therapist performed therapy to all patients through the piano playing for 50 min. We monitored each study participant for 150 min before therapy, 50 min during therapy, and 10 min after therapy. Interestingly, four of 6 patients showed significantly lower HF components during music therapy than before therapy, suggesting that these four patients might react to music therapy through the suppression of parasympathetic nervous activities. Thus, music therapy can suppress parasympathetic nervous activities in some patients with SMDC. The monitoring changes in the autonomic nervous activities could be a powerful tool for the objective evaluation of music therapy in patients with SMDC.

LIFE SATISFACTION AND FACTORS AFFECTING SATISFACTION IN KAWAUCHI VILLAGE RESIDENTS AT 10 Y AFTER THE FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ACCIDENT.

We assessed the life satisfaction and related factors, including the mental health state, of residents of Kawauchi village, Fukushima Prefecture. Among the 374 residents who responded, 237 (63.4%) were satisfied with their current life. Of all respondents, 275 (73.5%) had a sense of belonging to the Kawauchi village community and 158 (42.2%) thought that Kawauchi had recovered after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) accident. Regression analysis revealed that post-traumatic stress disorder checklist-Specific score, sense of belonging to the Kawauchi village community, opinion that Kawauchi village had recovered, timing of return to Kawauchi <2 y and concern about consumption of mushrooms and wild plants from Kawauchi were independently associated with life satisfaction. Although 10 y have passed since the FDNPS accident, it is necessary to continue with risk communication, particularly for new residents of Kawauchi.

Assessment of localized and resuspended 137 Cs due to decontamination and demolition in the difficult-to-return zone of Tomioka town, Fukushima Prefecture.

As the next step that occurred more than one decade after the accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS), decontamination and demolition have been carried out in the Specified Reconstruction and Revitalization Base (SRRB) of the difficult-to-return zone around the FDNPS. However, the risk of internal exposure among workers due to airborne dust inhalation after building demolition operations has not been sufficiently evaluated. To evaluate the working environment and internal exposure risk due to inhalation in the SRRB of Tomioka town, Fukushima Prefecture, the cesium-137 (137 Cs) radioactivity levels in the airborne dust at building demolition sites were analyzed using gamma spectrometry. The 137 Cs radioactivity levels and resuspension factors of the airborne dust at the subject building sites in the difficult-to-return zone remained at high levels compared with those of the control, which was located in the evacuation order-lifted area in Tomioka town. However, the 137 Cs radioactivity levels did not increase significantly, despite demolition operations that used heavy machinery. In this case, no substantial increases in accident-derived 137 Cs levels due to decontamination and demolition in the SRRB of Tomioka town, Fukushima Prefecture, were observed in the airborne dust samples, which suggests that the 137 Cs radioactivity in the airborne dust is primarily associated with particles that are resuspended by localized winds accompanied by the transfer of construction vehicles as opposed to the decontamination and demolition operations. However, the internal exposure doses due to aspirating airborne dust containing 137 Cs were extremely low compared with the estimated annual effective doses of decontamination workers or the limits recommended by the Japanese government. Additionally, countermeasures such as wearing protective masks could help reduce the on-site inhalation of soil-derived radionuclides. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:1555-1563. © 2022 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Evaluation of Residents' Timing of Return to or New Settlement in Kawauchi Village, at 10 Years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident.

Kawauchi village in Fukushima prefecture was affected by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, and residents had to evacuate from their hometown in 2011. This study clarified the timing and related factors with regard to residents returning to or newly settling in Kawauchi. A survey was conducted using a questionnaire, from February to March 2021, with assistance from the Kawauchi village office and post office. Of the 374 residents, 170 (45.5%) had returned to or newly settled in Kawauchi within the past 2 years (group 1), 84 (22.5%) in the past 2-5 years (group 2), and 99 (26.5%) after more than 5 years (group 3) following the evacuation order. An additional 21 residents (5.5%) who had lived in Kawauchi at the time of the FDNPP had not yet returned (group 4). Compared with the other groups, residents in group 1 were more satisfied with their current lives and were coping better with stress. Even though they had experienced a serious nuclear disaster, residents of Kawauchi village who returned to their hometown in the early phase had a high sense of satisfaction with their current life one decade after the FDNPP accident.

Occupational Difficulties of Disaster-Affected Local Government Employees in the Long-Term Recovery Phase after the Fukushima Nuclear Accident: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Modeling Analysis.

Local government officials play a central role in post-disaster community reconstruction. However, few studies have reported on the actual difficulties during a complex disaster involving a nuclear accident. A self-rated questionnaire survey was administered to a total of 583 public employees in four municipalities around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The relationship between universal occupational factors and radiation disaster-specific factors on job satisfaction and intention to leave the job due to radiation anxiety was evaluated using structural equation modeling. The results showed that interpersonal problems (ß = -0.246) and service years (ß = -0.127) were related to job satisfaction, whereas radiation-specific factors were not related to job satisfaction, and only to the intention to leave work due to radiation anxiety. A sense of coherence was associated with job satisfaction (ß = 0.373) and intention to leave work due to radiation anxiety (ß = -0.182), and it served as a moderator of the universal occupational factors and the radiation disaster-specific factors. Therefore, it is suggested that outcomes could be improved through increased stress coping capacity by providing support for relationships and radiation risk communication to public employees during the disaster recovery period.