The first large-scale commercial nuclear fuel cycle facilities in Japan are now under construction in Rokkasho-mura, Aomori Prefecture. Prior to the implementation of operations, we conducted this study to collect sociological data in relation to the estimation of radiation dose by radionuclides released from the facilities. Food intake in Aomori Prefecture was surveyed by dividing the prefecture into four areas and having the residents answer a questionnaire. The results of the survey in the final area (Shimokita Peninsula area) are reported in this paper, together with the combined results for the whole prefecture. The 50 families surveyed in Shimokita Peninsula area were divided into three different groups based on primary occupation: fishery worker, farmer and other occupation. The average total daily food consumption of the whole survey group was 2, 238 grams/day/person (g/d/p), and showed no significant seasonal variation. The consumption rates for marine, agricultural and livestock products were 244, 1, 205 and 372g/d/p, respectively, and were relatively constant year-round. The consumption rate of other products was 417g/d/p, with a slightly higher value during the summer. The category of other products included confectioneries, drinks and seasonings. The foods with the highest consumption rates in the area were: (a) squid, salmon and wakame among marine products, (b) rice, radish, tofu (soybean curd), cucumber, apple and potato among agricultural products, and (c) milk, eggs and pork among livestock products. The average total daily food consumption rate in the whole prefecture was 2, 117g/d/p, which was weighted by proportion of types of occupations in Aomori Prefecture. Some slight but statistically significant differences were recognized in the consumption patterns of families as determined by occupation and area of residency in the prefecture. The consumption of marine products was the highest for fishery workers, and that of agricultural products was higher for farmers than fishery workers. The food consumption data were compared with the results of a nationwide nutrition survey carried out by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare. The present intakes were re-calculated applying the method used in the national nutrition survey for comparison. The re-calculated results were approximately 10% higher than the national average. This indicates that specific data are important for evaluating food intake in local areas. Food intake rates were used to assess the safety of the reprocessing plant in Rokkasho. In comparing the present data with that used in the safety assessment, the present results were mostly lower than that applied in the assessment.

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This survey on daily food intake in the northwestern part (northern Tsugaru area) of Aomori Prefecture was a continuation of a previous survey conducted in the southeastern part (Sanpachi-Kamikita area) and southwestern part (southern Tsugaru area) of the prefecture. The 50 families surveyed were divided into three different groups of primary occupations: fishery worker, farmer, and “other occupations.” The average total daily food consumption of the entire survey group was about 2, 389 gram/day/person (g/d/p), and showed no significant seasonal variation. The consumption rates of marine, agricultural, and livestock products were around 276, 1, 275 and 360g/d/p, respectively, and were relatively constant the year around. However, the consumption rate of other products was 478g/d/p and was slightly higher in the summer and lower in the winter. The proportions of marine, agricultural, and livestock products in total food consumption among all families were on the average approximately 12, 53, and 15%, respectively. The highest average daily food consumption recorded was 2, 510g/d/p and occurred in fishery workers' families, followed by 2, 441 and 2, 008g/d/p in farming and other workers' families, respectively. The families of fishery workers showed the highest consumption of marine products among all families. The consumption of agricultural and livestock products was remarkably high in farmers' families and low in other workers' families. The foods with the highest consumption rates in the northern Tsugaru area were: (a) squid, salmon, wakame, and cod among marine products, (b) rice, radish, apple, cucumber, tomato, and tofu (soybean curd) among agricultural products, and (c) milk, egg, and pork among livestock products. Some slight but statistically significant differences were recognized in the consumption patterns in the northern Tsugaru area in comparison with those of the Sanpachi-Kamikita area and the southern Tsugaru area.

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This survey on daily food intake in the south-western part (Southern Tsugaru area) of Aomori Prefecture was a continuation of a previous survey conducted in the south-eastern part (Sanpachi-Kamikita area). The 50 families surveyed were composed of three different groups of primary occupations: fishery workers, farmers and “other occupations.” The average total daily food consumption of the whole survey group was about 2, 160g/d/p, and showed no significant seasonal variation. The consumption rates of marine and agricultural products were about 230 and 1, 180g/d/p respectively, being relatively constant year-round. Those of livestock products and other products were about 340 and 406g/d/p, with slight seasonal variations. The proportions of agricultural, livestock and marine products in the total food consumption among all families were on average about 55, 16 and 11%, respectively.
The highest daily food consumption recorded of 2, 255g/d/p was observed in “other workers' families, ” followed by 2, 149 and 2, 046g/d/p in farming and fishery workers' families, respectively. Families of fishery workers showed the highest consumption of marine products, but the lowest consumption of livestock products. The consumption of agricultural products and other foods was remarkably high in “other workers' families.”
Those representative foods with high consumption rates in the area were a) squid, salmon and cod in marine products, b) rice, apples, radishes, cucumbers, tomatoes and tofu (soybean curd) in agricultural products and c) milk, eggs and pork in livestock products.
Some slight but statistically-significant differences were recognized in the consumption patterns of the area compared to its previous survey.

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