Radiation health risk communication in Nagasaki University/Kawauchi village reconstruction promotion base

In March 2011, an accident occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which is operated by the Tokyo Electric Power Company, due to the Tohoku earthquake and ensuing tsunami (such accident being hereinafter referred to as the "Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident"). The resultant environmental release of invisible, scentless radioactive materials, which are undetectable by human senses, caused a serious panic among the public. The incident created public interest in radiation health risk communication, which addresses the health impact of exposure to radiation. According to conventional wisdom, radiation health risk communication is pursued among experts, government officials, and community members with the aim of sharing information on the health risks posed by radiation and making mutual communication among them. Today, radiation health risk communication tailored to the living conditions and ideas of individuals according to the air dose rates and exposure dose rates seems to be of increasing importance. On April 20, 2013, Kawauchi Village in Futaba, Fukushima Prefecture, signed an agreement with Nagasaki University on comprehensive cooperation. Since then, the author has engaged in various healthcare activities at the reconstruction promotion base of Nagasaki University that they established in Kawauchi Village to protect community members from the health risks associated with radiation. This commentary summarizes these activities. (author)