The Basic Trend of Media Reports on Residents’ Return in Fukushima: In the Realms of Text Mining Analysis

In general, people’s concerns appear to be represented through the mass media. In the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear power station accident in Fukushima prefecture, the many reports made by the mass media provide enough information that we can understand the overall situation. In this context, examining reports by the mass media concerning this issue can be thought of as an analysis of stakeholders’ concerns. However, it is of great significance to verify whether reports by the mass media correctly reflect people’s concerns or not. I analyzed Japanese text data from the Fukushima local newspaper using a text mining methodology, and have confirmed the general accuracy of media reports with respect to evacuees’ concerns. I also found that in media reports the biggest issue related to residents returning to their homes seemed to be their livelihoods, whereas matters related to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station were rarely reported in connection with residents’ return. Therefore, the most effective measure for having evacuees willingly return to their homes may be to address their anxieties about daily life including the employment environment with high priority so that evacuees can return to their homes willingly.