In September 2011, Hirosaki University concluded a partnership agreement with the Namie-cho in Fukushima Prefecture. Thereafter, the university has launched the Namie-cho reconstruction support project and has been developing various reconstruction support activities in Namie-cho. In 2013, Hirosaki University established the “Hirosaki University Namie-cho Reconstruction Support Office” as a local base to strengthen cooperation with Namie-cho. In 2013, Hirosaki University established the “Hirosaki University Namie-cho Reconstruction Support Office” as strengthening cooperation with the Namie-cho.
In the Namie-cho reconstruction support project, which has been implemented since 2014, We continues to develop activities to support the recovery and reconstruction of Namie-cho, the safety and security of its residents and the accumulation of scientific knowledge, such as environmental monitoring support, health counseling and radionuclide migration studies.
Furthermore, in the “Risk Communication Project on Health Effects of Radiation in Fukushima Prefecture,” a project of the Ministry of the Environment, two health care specialists are stationed at the reconstruction support office, and in cooperation with the Namie-cho, we provide health counseling and hold dialogue meetings such as “chatting sessions” and “Appuru Salon” to provide information about radiation. We provide information about radiation and offer continuous support to the residents of Namie-cho by answering their questions and concerns about radiation and carry out a variety of activities to consider the needs of the residents.
We carry out educational activities on and off campus as radiation risk communication educational activities. In Namie-cho, we hold radiation study sessions in cooperation with elementary and junior high schools to provide basic knowledge on food inspections and harmful rumors to elementary school students and teachers. In addition, we are contributing to the development of human resources responsible for radiation risk communication by offering lectures on the theme of radiation risk communication education for students on campus such as providing education and practice of radiation risk communication in the form of liberal arts education, practical training for teachers, and recurrent education.
This division will continue to actively publicize the results of these support activities and promote activities and research aimed at building risk communication.
Description of Activities
- Namie-cho reconstruction support activities
- Health consultation for town residents
- Assistance of ascertaining exposure doses
- Risk communication activities (educational activities, information dissemination, etc.)
Introduction of Activities
Apple Salon
The “Appuru Salon,” a dialogue meeting for town residents who began returning in 2017, is not only an opportunity to deepen exchanges among town residents who returned, but also serves as a catalyst for health and radiation consultations and has been successful in forming relationships between the health counselors and town residents.
Chatting sessions
We provide a place where residents living outside of Namie-cho (in Iwaki City or other public housing for reconstruction) can consult with us about their health and radiation, and we provide risk communication of their health concerns related to radiation.
Lecture
The Radiation risk communication education division has been holding annual risk communication lectures on radiation since 2013.
