Risk communication efforts after the Fukushima nuclear disaster face a range of challenges: disparities in access to information and perceptions of risk among the affected people, uncertainties in radiation science and its technical nature, persistent public distrust, and the complexity of the disaster recovery process. This underscores that risk communication in the context of nuclear disasters should be continuous, timely, inclusive and context-sensitive. This policy brief recommends that: • Risk communication is continuous, preparing for potential crises and using stakeholder discussions and joint monitoring and evaluation of risks related to the nuclear industry. • Emergency communication mechanisms are established and utilised to ensure timely provision of situation-specific risk information. • The limits of scientific knowledge and variations in expert views are openly discussed, with public risk perception and concerns in mind. • Post-disaster radiation risk communication and dialogues on other recovery challenges are integrated in policymaking and implementation.

4 p.

2409-3017