Risk and Vulnerability of Disasters with a Low Probability and High Consequences after the Fukushima Nuclear-Power-Plant Accident

Abstract

Social consequences of the Fukushima NPP Accident are reviewed and generalized to discuss the disaster risks and vulnerabilities with a low probability and high consequences (LPHC). Probabilistic risk assessments and sociological risk studies are both referred and employed to understand an alteration in the public risk acceptance with a risk transference. A possible scenario towards a social innovation is thereupon proposed to cope with the risks of LPHC in the future.