Social Survey Project
How did people’s acceptance of nuclear power generation change following the nuclear accident at Tokyo Electric Power’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant? And what kind of role is expected of nuclear power generation within the context of the energy problem as a whole? The Social Survey Project uses a multi-faceted approach when investigating the attitudinal trends displayed by the public towards nuclear power generation. The aim of this research is to answer the above-mentioned questions while determining the optimal method for disseminating information.
Ongoing surveys of public opinion concerning nuclear power generation (since 1993)
People’s opinion about the use of nuclear power generation had been increasingly affirmative until the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The most typical opinion was that “it is unavoidable.” However, affirmative opinions have decreased dramatically in the wake of the accident. As revealed by a survey, people’s first priority criterion for selecting their preferred power source has shifted to minimization of the “risk of disaster.” Therefore, people wish to decrease electric power deriving from nuclear power generation, and are less conscious about the negative consequences of a reduction of nuclear power generation. A series of continuous surveys has revealed not only people’s affirmative or negative opinions but also how the change in people’s recognition of nuclear power generation has contributed to their opinions change.
Public opinion on use of nuclear energy
