[Kansai Gaidai University] 15 Years After the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: Public Symposium on "Nuclear Power, Democracy, and Dialogue" to be Held on Saturday, June 20th (In-person and Online)

The Institute for International Cultural Research (IRI) at Kansai Gaidai University (Hirakata City, Osaka) will hold a public symposium on Saturday, June 20, 2026, titled "Nuclear Power, Democracy, and Dialogue: How the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster is Narrated." Fifteen years have passed since the Fukushima nuclear disaster following the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. However, this accident continues to pose significant challenges to modern society. In this symposium, Professor Katsuya Hirano of the Faculty of Global Symbiosis and Professor Reiko Seki of the Faculty of Sociology at Rikkyo University will deliver keynote reports, directly addressing the experiences and discussions of the people of Fukushima regarding the disaster. Additionally, three researchers will serve as commentators, providing insights from the perspectives of Hiroshima, nuclear policy, and the narratives of the people of Fukushima. Through the discussions of the five panelists, the event aims to deepen the conversation about Fukushima and the future of nuclear power, including participation from the floor.