Why Do They Not Come Home? Three Cases of Fukushima Nuclear Accident Evacuees

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 20; no. 5; p. 4027
• Main Authors: Ito, Naomi, Moriyama, Nobuaki, Furuyama, Ayako, Saito, Hiroaki, Sawano, Toyoaki, Amir, Isamu, Sato, Mika, Kobashi, Yurie, Zhao, Tianchen, Yamamoto, Chika, Abe, Toshiki, Tsubokura, Masaharu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 24.02.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: 2011 AD; Accidents; Aging in place; Case Report; Disaster relief; Disasters; Earthquakes; Electric utilities; Evacuation; Evacuation of civilians; Evacuations & rescues; Families & family life; Female; Fukushima Nuclear Accident; Health services; Hemodialysis; Hospitals; Humans; Japan; Male; Nuclear accidents; Nuclear accidents & safety; Nuclear energy; Nuclear power plants; Post-disaster reconstruction; Power supply; Public housing; Quality of life; Radiation; Relocation; Temporary housing; Towns; Japan; returning home; health issues; Fukushima nuclear accident; local residents; aging in place; disaster
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054027

Many people wish to return to where they used to live after evacuation due to disaster. After the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, many residents were forced to evacuate due to concerns about radiation. Subsequently, the evacuation order was lifted, and the government promoted a return policy. However, it has been reported that a considerable number of residents living in evacuation sites or other areas wish to return but are unable to do so. Here, we report three cases of Japanese men and one woman who evacuated after the 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima. These cases reveal the rapid aging of residents and their health issues. These issues suggest that enhancing medical supply systems and access to medical care can aid in post-disaster reconstruction and residents' returning.