Paper short abstract:

Authors have developed a new community-based risk communication for three years concerning health effects of low-dose ionizing radiation. It is discussed how the method works in the framework of risk governance in decommissioning process of nuclear that takes beyond 30 years.

Paper long abstract:

Decommissioning several nuclear power installations is now being planned in Japan under the regulatory body and licensees' initiative. For a long term process of decommissioning beyond 30 years, the risk communication concerning radiation safety, security and environment among general public is indispensable to obtain public understanding and consensus building. Risk communication is an essential part in the risk governance framework as well as risk assessment and risk management.

For three years, authors have developed and conducted a new community-based risk communication method for risk and risk-related factors concerning health effects of low-dose ionizing radiation. In this method, several groups that consist of local citizens who worry about nuclear applications have been coordinated as stakeholders, and they make dialogue and examine issues on their own with supports by specialists. The community-based risk communication is designed for promoting stakeholders' willingness regarding the right of self-determination as well as the right to know. The community-based risk communication is discussed in the risk governance framework, and the process regarding nuclear decommissioning is presented.