Exploring the differences and influencing factors between top-down and opinion-reflective approaches regarding public acceptance of final disposal of soils removed after the Fukushima nuclear accident.

This article examines public acceptance of the final disposal of soils removed following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, comparing three decision-making approaches: top-down, opinion-aggregative, and opinion-reflective. A 2022 postal survey of 871 respondents outside Fukushima Prefecture found acceptance rates of 22.6%, 37.6%, and 56.9% for these approaches, respectively, indicating higher acceptance when public opinions are aggregated or reflected in decisions. Key factors positively associated with preference for opinion-based approaches included interest in the disposal issue and perceived social benefits, while age and intergenerational expectations showed negative associations. The study underscores the importance of procedural fairness—particularly public participation and discussion—in enhancing acceptance of nuclear waste disposal sites, while noting limitations such as response bias and the study's focus on soil disposal rather than other radioactive waste types.