Abstract
This paper presents a practical study of Ethica Fukushima, an organization which has been engaged in dialogue activities among citizens to discuss various issues related to the nuclear power plant accident. Various studies have revealed that the nuclear accident has left “scars,” such as division, silence, and collective trauma among survivors. However, much of the existing research adopts a recovery-based approach, framing the “scars” as something to be healed or overcome. In contrast, this paper examines the various aspects of the scarred survivors’ “narratives” shared during Ethica Fukushima’s dialogue practices from a perspective different from the recovery-oriented approach. It focuses on how the “narratives” of survivors, who become aware of their own “scars” through listening to others’ stories, stumble over their words, or attempt to leave deep “scars” of guilt upon themselves, rather create connections with others or encourage self-reflection on the part of the listeners. The paper argues that these “scars” open up an ethical life in the sense that it helps create a public space where individuals can engage in symbiotic relationships with others, and develop a sense of balance through self-understanding and awareness. This paper provides a philosophical interpretation of these “scars” and their role in fostering ethical reflection and communal dialogue by drawing on the ideas of Hannah Arendt.
