2023 Volume 28 Issue 1 Pages 19-27
【Background】 There are many similarities in the disaster prevention plans of the nuclear power station site and neighboring prefectures, and regional characteristics are not taken into consideration. We surveyed the regional characteristics around each nuclear power plant and examined the pros and cons of disaster prevention plans with similar content and ways to improve them. 【Methods】 The 2020 Population Census was used to investigate the population within each PAZ/UPZ by generation. Changes in populations requiring special consideration in the past 20 years in areas surrounding nuclear power stations were also examined. 【Results】 The results showed that population decline and aging were progressing rapidly around many nuclear power stations. The percentage of persons requiring special consideration had increased in all areas. 【Discussion】 In nuclear disasters spanning a wide area, people are more affected by the social impacts, such as long-term evacuation, than by direct physical impacts. Originally, persons requiring special consideration are vulnerable to social exclusion. They might lose contact with and be easily cut off from society in nuclear disasters. This study indicates that the number of persons requiring special consideration may approach half the local population. As self-help and mutual assistance within the community are becoming increasingly difficult, it is necessary when considering nuclear disaster prevention in the future to take measures to include such people at the stage of preparation and to enhance the strength of the local community.
