Fukushima, Japan: Examining the Definitions of Regions

Abstract:

Regions and their boundaries are vital parts of understanding the world and reality around us, with their own definitions, information, and uses. There are formal regions based on similar cultural/physical features, functional regions defined by common purposes, and perceptual regions based around personal notions of the individual's experiences (Fouberg & Moseley, 2018). The purpose of this discussion is to examine the regions associated with the Fukushima Prefecture of Japan and how these shifted overtime, especially after the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi meltdown. Economic history, topography, and migration trends affect the regional definitions of the area, which are needed in order to improve the safety culture, prevent a similar disaster, and move forward with reconstruction.

The 3.11.11 Tsunami created shared experiences across the affected areas of Japan and as a whole, with the Fukushima Daiichi meltdown creating further shared experiences. This disaster can be used to define the region as a formal region, due to the shared disaster culture and can be seen in numerous published books and community reconstruction efforts. It can be defined as a functional region, given the need to define the area by the government and TEPCO to mark danger areas for evacuations. It also establishes a perceptual region of the area due to the radiation and association with TEPCO, who have become distrusted since the disaster. By examining the Fukushima prefecture regarding the disaster, we can examine examples of each form of region, which can be used to inform policies, revitalization efforts, and the future. 

Keywords: regions, disaster, migration, Japan, Fukushima, tsunami, regional trends

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