Abstract
This paper aims to clarify what agenda settings are necessary for reforming Japanese society and reconstruction of local communities destroyed by the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster, focusing on the necessary changes in energy policy and measures for overcoming difficult situations for the areas that suffered from the disaster. The disaster raised various issues, the resolutions for which are necessary not only for the economic recovery of the affected areas but also for the political and social reform of Japanese society. In order to analyze defects of the decision making process before and after the disaster, a theoretical framework that distinguishes four types of arenas appears to be useful. They are the “arena of public discourse,” “arena of scientific discourse,” “arena of making policy plans” and “arena of political decision making”. Using this framework, we highlight defects in the preparation for dealing with important issues raised by the disaster.
Regarding the nuclear energy policy, the majority of Japanese public started to demand the government to work toward a nuclear free society. However, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has promoted the revival of nuclear power after its election victory in December 2012, neglecting democratic discussion with the public.
Regarding the areas affected by the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, many residents have been obliged to evacuate from their home towns. The former residents of certain towns such as Namie, Ohkuma, Tomioka, Futaba and Iitate have little chance for a quick return in the near future. The residents have a difficult choice between leaving and returning to their home towns. It is therefore necessary to make a policy that establishes a “third way”, namely, “a return in the future after a long absence.” However, an agenda setting regarding this point has not been established by the national government or by Fukushima prefectural office.
Studying the lack of establishing agendas regarding the shift in energy policy as well as the “third way” for aras affected by the disaster, we analyze the inadequate relations between four types of arenas and why Japanese society lacks sufficient self-control abilities.
