Public Participation in Decision-Making on Energy Policy: The Case of the “National Discussion” After the Fukushima Accident

摘要: The summer of 2012 was a significant period for Japan’s nuclear and energy policy in that, response to the Fukushima accident, government decided undertake, what it termed, “National Discussion” on policy. This first time that Deliberative Polling had been introduced Japan level. DP included 285 randomly selected participants from across Japan, asking them deliberate three options with assistance panel eight specially experts. were asked fill out questionnaire at points during process, their support (zero, 15, 20–25 % dependency scenarios) recorded later analyzed. What particularly interesting participants’ desire not merely information but also challenge panelists’ individual viewpoints question very framework discussion. Significant changes level scenarios observed, approximately 50 eventually choosing shift away dependency. An examination government’s National Discussion , including DP, demonstrated results impact explicitly stating should be phased by 2030s. A subsequent change led abandonment this decision, did totally undermine value attempt combining public participatory process actual national policymaking field science technology.