INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTIONICRP ref: 4838-6952-8851

March 13, 2013

Second Anniversary of the North-eastern Japan Earthquake,
Tsunami and Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Accident
Recovery efforts following the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident havecontinued steadily for two years. This second anniversary is a natural time to reflect
on progress to date and to look forward for the future.
Perhaps the most encouraging news relates to recent information on radiation doses
received by members of the public. Measurements of actual doses to individuals aresignificantly less than initial predictions based on conservative models. Althoughthese doses are low, ICRP strongly encourages continued and expandedmeasurement of individual doses. Individual dose measurements are essential toguide actions and behaviours, and in particular to identify the people and groups
most exposed. Moreover, greater attention should be paid to doses actually received
by people, and less to dose rates measured in the environment, now thatmeasurement of the former is feasible. Knowing the distribution of individual doses isa key input into decision making regarding optimisation of protection, including
recovery efforts, which takes into account not only dose but also societal andeconomic factors.
However, there are negative effects arising from stresses due to the earthquake andtsunami, the daily difficulties of relocation in particular for the tens of thousands ofpeople still unable to return to their homes, and continuing concerns about radiation
exposure. Efforts must continue to better understand these issues, and to work withindividuals and communities to deal with them.
Within the last year ICRP has focused considerable effort on understanding thesituation and advising on the post-accident recovery. This has included participationin key international discussions, most notably the Fukushima Ministerial Conferenceon Nuclear Safety in December 2012 in Koriyama City, organised by theGovernment of Japan and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and theInternational Academic Conference on Radiation Health Risk Management inFukushima in February 2013 in Fukushima City, organised by Fukushima MedicalUniversity.
On November 22, 2012, immediately following the ICRP Main Commission meeting
held in Fukushima City, ICRP released the “Summary Report on Issues Identified

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from the NPP Accident in Japan and Recommendations to Improve the System ofRadiological Protection”. This summary report, available through the ICRP website,
describes 18 issues and makes 11 recommendations to ICRP on areas ofimprovement to the system of radiological protection (a Japanese translation of thisreport is in progress.) Although the ICRP system of radiological protection continues
to be appropriate to help ensure protection of people and the environment, theseissues and recommendations will be used as a basis for further improvement. Workis already underway in some of the areas, and ICRP is in the process of prioritisingefforts to address others.
The ICRP Dialogue Initiative also continues unabated. The purposes of the initiative
are to facilitate discussions between local stakeholders, transfer experience fromcommunities affected by the Chernobyl accident to Japan, share ICRP
recommendations directly with the communities, and learn from those affected toimprove future ICRP recommendations. Since its inception, this multi-partner
initiative has included five main dialogue meetings held in Fukushima prefecture,some smaller dialogue meetings in the region, and exchanges bringing a few citizensof Fukushima to areas of Norway affected by the Chernobyl accident and vice-versa
to share experiences first-hand. The dialogue meetings have tackled difficult
problems, including dealing with ‘contaminated’ foodstuffs, education of children, andthe question of whether to remain in or return to affected areas. Tangible results
have been achieved, for example bringing together teachers to look at educational
methods and tools, and changing purchasing and marketing policies of a major
national food distributor. Many results of this initiative are less tangible, but no lessimportant for being so.
There is little doubt that 2012 was a better year than 2011 for the people ofFukushima Prefecture and nearby. Progress is being made towards recovery.
Nonetheless, as noted one year ago, this recovery will continue for many years tocome, and ICRP remains steadfast in its commitment to remain actively involved.
On behalf of the International Commission on Radiological Protection,

Claire Cousins
ICRP ChairChristopher Clement
ICRP Scientific Secretary- 2 (2) -