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Risk Perception and Risk Talk: The Case of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Radiation Risk

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  • Takashi Kusumi
  • Rumi Hirayama
  • Yoshihisa Kashima

Abstract

Individuals’ perceptions and their interpersonal communication about a risk event, or risk talk, can play a significant role in the formation of societal responses to the risk event. As they formulate their risk opinions and speak to others, risk information can circulate through their social networks and contribute to the construction of their risk information environment. In the present study, Japanese citizens’ risk perception and risk talk were examined in the context of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear radiation risk. We hypothesized and found that the risk information environment and risk literacy (i.e., competencies to understand and use risk information) interact to influence their risk perception and risk talk. In particular, risk literacy tends to stabilize people's risk perceptions and their risk communications. Nevertheless, there were some subtle differences between risk perception and communication, suggesting the importance of further examination of interpersonal risk communication and its role in the societal responses to risk events.

Suggested Citation

  • Takashi Kusumi & Rumi Hirayama & Yoshihisa Kashima, 2017. "Risk Perception and Risk Talk: The Case of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Radiation Risk," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 37(12), pages 2305-2320, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:37:y:2017:i:12:p:2305-2320
    DOI: 10.1111/risa.12784
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yuyao Feng & Guowen Li & Xiaolei Sun & Jianping Li, 2022. "Identification of tourists’ dynamic risk perception—the situation in Tibet," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Daisuke Nakanishi & Kunihiro Yokota & Junichi Igawa, 2023. "Can scientific literacy reduce purchase avoidance of Fukushima products?," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 242-250, June.

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