Governance Response to 3.11

Regionalism and Multi-level Governance in Fukushima, Japan

Bernardo Gortaire Morejón, Emir Suljović

• Publisher: GRIN Verlag
• Year: 2020
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9783346239303
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: Diplomacy & Treaties
• Index: Politics & International Relations

Academic Paper from the year 2019 in the subject Politics - Region: South Asia, grade: 8.0, Maastricht University (Governance), course: Multi-Level Governance, language: English, abstract: Imagine a preventable catastrophe, a nuclear nightmare unfolding due to negligence and a disregard for international safety standards – this is the haunting reality of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. This book delves into the heart of this crisis, dissecting Japan's response through the critical lens of Multilevel Governance (MLG). Uncover the intricate web of governmental and non-governmental interactions, exploring the effectiveness of stakeholder collaboration in the face of a "wicked problem" of unprecedented scale. Was Japan's disaster management strategy truly effective, or did the complex interplay of supranational bodies like the IAEA, national ministries, and local authorities contribute to the chaos? Explore the accountability, or lack thereof, exhibited by key actors like the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and government officials as the book investigates the institutional frameworks designed to protect citizens from such devastating events. This compelling analysis not only unearths the failures that led to the disaster's expansion across housing, agriculture, energy and other sectors, but also offers invaluable recommendations for bolstering future disaster response strategies. By examining the roles of epistemic communities and the dynamics of information exchange, this book provides critical insight into reshaping governance for a safer future, focusing on policy response, international collaboration, and the absolute necessity of government accountability. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of nuclear safety protocols, the importance of expert leadership in crisis management, and the long-term consequences of decisions made in the immediate aftermath. This book seeks to address critical questions surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster and serves as a warning to all nations on the critical importance of proactive disaster preparedness and robust safety measures. This book provides a framework for understanding the multifaceted challenges of modern disaster management and the critical role of collaborative governance in mitigating future crises by analyzing how well the governance structure facilitated effective collaboration and efficient resource allocation.