Our research group conducted three large-scale surveys (covering about 25,000 households) in 2011, 2017, and 2021 on the actual situation of widely displaced persons due to the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. Internationally, the main focus is on internally displaced persons (IDPs), who are exposed to long-term risks such as conflict, violence, climate change, and disasters. This research is concerned with restoring the dignity of IDPs who have been displaced by disasters and other long-term issues.

Our research on nuclear disasters has highlighted that citizens exposed to prolonged risks, and IDPs, have become a significant international focus. Notably, the number of IDPs due to disasters has increased in recent years. Therefore, understanding how citizens exposed to various risks, including disasters, recover and demonstrate resilience is an important area for future research.

We will further conduct a series of research studies on Fukushima and establish an international research center on the resilience of citizens exposed to long-term risks. To this end, we have set three goals.

(1) To promote research on restoring the dignity of those exposed to long-term risks due to the nuclear disaster.

(2) To play a role in the establishment of an international research center using Fukushima as a field.

(3) To establish a research center focusing on “Internally Displaced Persons.”

I intend to apply for major research funding during the RARA Associate Fellowship period.

I would like to establish a research institute on nuclear disasters and IDPs (tentatively called the Resilience Research Institute) within the university.

I also intend to establish a foundation for international research by collaborating with international organizations and organizations related to IDPs.

Moreover, I plan to Invite domestic and foreign researchers to hold international conferences during the period. I would like to play a role in the establishment of an international research center in Fukushima Prefecture by utilizing the networks established with the national government, local governments, and businesses.

I believe that studying the restoration of dignity for citizens exposed to various risks, such as disasters, conflicts, and climate change, could establish Ritsumeikan University as a leading center for international research on humanitarian assistance. This aligns with the university’s long-standing commitment to peace and democracy.

Partnerships:
In the future, I would like to collaborate with international organizations concerned with internally displaced persons. We would also like to build a network with domestic and international researchers working on this issue.

Research collaborations:
I believe that it is important to facilitate discussions not only among researchers but also among citizens, including internally displaced persons.