A deliberative poll on the theme of high-level radioactive waste conducted by the Japan Academy of Sciences found that support for geological disposal of burying high-level radioactive waste deep underground increased sharply after the debate.The Science Council of Japan considers vague anxiety as an objective risk and an effective method for forming a national consensus on the disposal of high-level radioactive waste.

 According to the Science Council of Japan, 101 participants were gathered via an internet research company. Recruitment began in January 2015, and a discussion experiment was conducted in March.At the time of application, the same questionnaire survey was conducted three times immediately before and after the discussion after the discussion materials were distributed.

 The discussion experiment was divided into 1 groups consisting of 6 to 8 people in one group, and while free discussion was held using the web conferencing system, questions were created for each group and questions were asked at the plenary session.

 As a result, the number of supporters of geological disposal increased significantly from 37.2% at the time of application to 48.5% after the discussion.Regarding the acceptance of final disposal sites, the number of supporters increased from 11.9% at the time of application to 23.8%, and the number of opponents decreased from 63.4% to 46.5%.Regarding the operation of nuclear power plants, "should be reduced to zero promptly" increased from 34.7% at the time of application to 43.6% after discussion.

 The deliberative poll was devised by Professor Fishkin of Stanford University in 1988, and unlike general polls, respondents learn, so it is possible to exclude answers that come to mind.In Europe, it has already been widely adopted, with Denmark implementing currency union and Italy implementing immigration policy.
In Japan, starting with Kanagawa Prefecture's implementation of the pros and cons of the Doshusei system in 2009, the Democratic Party of Japan's government at that time conducted the theme of 2012 power composition and dependence on nuclear power to create a society that does not depend on nuclear power. It is a material that sets out the direction.

reference:[Science Council of Japan] Deliberative poll on the Web with the theme of disposal of high-level radioactive waste

University Journal Online Editorial Department

This is the online editorial department of the university journal.
Articles are written by editorial staff who have a high level of knowledge and interest in universities and education.