Rina Kojima: Rebuilding in the aftermath of Fukushima: empowering and making people vulnerable through risk

This thesis aims to re-examine the concept of reconstruction following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in March 2011. By examining the reconstruction policy launched by the Japanese authorities in the wake of this disaster—despite the health risks posed by low levels of radiation persisting in the environment—it explores the socio-cultural consequences of this policy on those affected, whether they leave, remain or return to the contaminated areas. What form should reconstruction take following this nuclear disaster? What form should reconstruction take in contaminated areas, for populations affected by this disaster and facing this long-term health and environmental risk?

To address these questions, this thesis first analyses the Fukushima disaster in three phases – before, during and after the event – and the management of this disaster at two levels – collective and individual. It also examines the socio-technical controversies surrounding the risk posed by low doses of radiation – a risk that extends over a wide area and a long period of time – thereby enabling us to grasp the complexity of this ‘post-accident’ situation in a nuclearised Japanese society.

Secondly, this thesis conducts a comparative study of the Minamata disaster, caused by mercury contamination dating back to the 1930s. By analysing these two case studies in their various dimensions – uncertainty, risk and the onset of the disaster – it highlights the process of reconstruction, or even rebirth, of a Japanese society repeatedly affected by techno-industrial disasters, a mirror image of the country’s development and modernisation.

Members of the jury

• Claudine Burton-Jeangros, Professor, University of Geneva (Rapporteur)
• Sophie Houdart, Research Director, CNRS LESC (Rapporteur)
• Paul Jobin, Associate Research Fellow, Academia Sinica (PhD supervisor)
• Valérie November, Research Director, CNRS (PhD supervisor)
• Philippe Pelletier, Professor, University of Lyon 2 (Examiner)
• Sandrine Revet, Research Director, CERI, Sciences Po (Examiner)
• Sezin Topçu, Research Fellow, CNRS CEMS-EHESS (Examiner)