Lingering Trauma of Fukushima: Survey Reveals High Rates of PTSD

Survey reveals 40% of Fukushima evacuees may be struggling with PTSD, local media reports.

Fukushima residents who fled outside the prefecture after the 2011 nuclear accident are reportedly experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in almost 40% of cases, according to a survey.

Waseda University and a citizens group sent questionnaires to 5,350 households mainly in the Kanto region around Tokyo who had fled from Fukushima following the nuclear disaster, and obtained responses from 516, reports Xinhua news agency.

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‘Almost 40% of Fukushima residents who evacuated to other areas after the 2011 nuclear disaster may be experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a survey.’

The results indicated that 37.0 percent of the evacuees had PTSD.

Rising Rate of PTSD

Behind the high rate are long-term stress factors, including memories of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster, drastic changes in living environments, and problems resulting from the government's post-disaster measures, Japan's Asahi Shimbun reported.

Meanwhile, 34.5 percent said they "still have no job".

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As for reasons, 16.3 percent cited an "inability to resume my self-owned business yet", and 14.0 percent said they "could not work due to illness".

The survey, conducted from January through April 2022, also revealed the worsening financial situation of evacuees, as 56.8 percent said they were "worried about compensation and indemnification".

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Another problem is the growing feeling of isolation, with 38.9 percent of respondents saying they "rarely have contact" or "have no contact" with friends or acquaintances in the places where they currently live.

"Although victims remain in touch with one another, some of them cannot go out on their own," said Takuya Tsujiuchi, a medical professor at Waseda University, who was involved in the research.

"Such shut-ins alongside depressed individuals and elderly people need personal visits by supporters."

Source-IANS