This episode of The IR thinker revisits the Fukushima disaster, examining its diplomatic repercussions, its impact on global energy policy, and the transformation of Japan’s nuclear research and governance. The discussion also addresses the controversy surrounding the release of treated radioactive water, the Japanese government’s crisis communication, the lived experience of those affected, and the wider lessons for managing radioactive sites worldwide.

Maxime Polleri

Maxime Polleri is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Université Laval in Canada and a member of the Graduate School of International Studies. An anthropologist of science and technology, he studies the governance of disasters and waste with a particular focus on nuclear issues. Dr Polleri is a Network Affiliate at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University, where he previously held MacArthur Nuclear Security pre and postdoctoral fellowships, and is a member of MITATE Lab, an international research programme on Fukushima.

Content

00:00 - Introduction to the Discussion

02:09 - Diplomatic Repercussions of the Fukushima Disaster

09:42 - Response of Expats in Japan to the Fukushima Disaster

11:28 - The Impact of Fukushima on Global Energy Policies

21:40 - Post-Fukushima Nuclear Research & Development in Japan

25:46 - Evaluating the State of Nuclear Knowledge in Japan

28:46 - Comparing Japanese Society Pre- and Post-Fukushima

37:15 - International Oversight of Japanese Nuclear Facilities

40:00 - The Controversy of Fukushima’s Radioactive Water Release

44:24 - Understanding the Process of Radioactive Water Release

45:25 - Real-Life Experiences with Radioactive Water Release

47:04 - Assessing the Quality of Japanese Government’s Crisis Communication

52:47 - Lessons for Humanity from the Fukushima Disaster

58:22 - Management of Radioactive Sites Worldwide

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