Text Mining Analysis of Questions and Explanations in Radiation Risk Communication Round Table Discussions

Abstract

A Town in Fukushima Prefecture evacuated its residents after a nuclear power accident 2011. We investigate a series of radiation risk communication round table discussions among the residents and researchers/experts over three years, beginning five years after the said evacuation order and ending one year after its partial lifting. By analyzing the language used in the sessions, we explore the residents' perceptions of radiation, how they changed and the trends in the content of explanations provided in response to the questions. The conferences were transcribed and analyzed using language analysis software. These were divided into questions and explanation data groups. The former was associated with daily life matters, including health effects, diet, the evacuated town and annual changes in the decontamination progress and the cancellation of evacuation orders. Women focused on their offspring, while men focused on health topics and the future of nuclear power, as indicated by subject popularity. These questions were intended to confirm the authenticity of what residents heard from other people. The explanation data group was associated with radioactive materials' characteristics, particularly the transfer mechanisms of cesium by nature. These explanations were related to health effects. Often, “It is thought” or “I think” was mentioned after giving information, probably to avoid assertions, entrust the questioner with decisions and foster radiation literacy.