Since TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in 2011, the Ministry of the Environment of Japan has been carrying out a risk communication campaign to share reliable and accurate information with people concerned about radiation risks, extending to the public nationwide, to dispel rumors about the effects of radiation on people’s health.
People do not usually have the chance to get information about radiation in their daily lives, and much of that information is highly technical and complex, which takes time to understand. The government launched this new project specifically to create a space where individuals can learn to analyze information and not fall prey to rumors, particularly as information is disseminated through a wide range of media today.
Going forward, the GuGuRu Project will focus on five strategic project areas.
The GuGuRu Project will focus on five thematic areas—knowing, learning, decision-making, listening, and researching.
Lectures explain how to read and write academic papers for understanding the information available on the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in terms of the health effects of radiation.
Seminars are open to students and the public and address the health effects of radiation, the prejudice and discrimination survivors have faced, and other topics. They also provide participants with opportunities to make their own presentations about what they have learned.
Through leaflets and other means, information is offered on the health effects of radiation to support people’s decision-making processes to protect themselves and their loved ones.
A risk communication structure is being developed to allow individuals to get advice concerning the health effects of radiation.
As a portal site for information on the current health effects of radiation, posted content will provide a searchable reference for people concerned or anxious about the health effects of radiation.
Provides explanations based on the English-language “Booklet to Provide Basic Information Regarding the Health Effects of Radiation,” which offers scientifically-accurate information regarding radiation.
English-language reference material put together by related ministries and agencies based on the government’s Policy Package for Radiation Risk Communication for Achieving Residents’ Return, created to meet the need for more in-depth risk communication that deals with individual concerns by providing accurate, easy-to-understand information.
On June 30, 2022, the Ministry of the Environment used the popular fictional salaryman manga character Kosaku Shima in a presentation to help with the fiscal 2022 kickoff meeting for the GuGuRu Project. The Ministry announced that the Project would be carried out for fiscal 2022 as well centering on the Radiation College seminars and that a new program would be created for high school students and working individuals (businesses, etc.).
The Ministry of the Environment held the GuGuRu Project Forum on February 28, 2022 to recap fiscal 2021 activities for the GuGuRu Project, which was originally launched in July 2021 to encourage people to learn to analyze information on the health effects of radiation and not be confused by rumors.
