The effects of perceived stigma and neighborhood storytelling networks on future outlook: mixed-method research in Fukushima, Japan

ABSTRACT

The residents of Shinchimachi, Fukushima Prefecture, face ongoing struggles in the aftermath of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. In addition to physical damage and health risks, residents contend with the socio-psychological difficulties of facing stigma. This research used interview and survey methods to unearth nuanced perceptions of stigma and to test the effects of the perceived stigma and neighborhood connectedness on future outlook. Interviews revealed that residents perceive stigma from mainstream media and people from other prefectures. Based on communication infrastructure theory (CIT), the survey found that a perceived stigma has a negative effect on future outlook, but that for residents who are connected to neighborhood storytelling networks, especially through community organizations, the negative effect of stigma on future outlook is weaker and they are more likely to have a positive future outlook. The study makes concrete suggestions for harnessing resources already available within communities for sustainable recovery.

KEYWORDS:

• Stigma
• communication infrastructure theory
• community organization
• disaster
• Fukushima

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Project number: 16K12382). An earlier version of this manuscript was presented at the Annual Convention of the International Communication Association, Washington D.C., May 26, 2019.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Given the extremely challenging situations Fukushima residents have faced since the disaster, they do not generally welcome researchers coming into their community for ‘research’ about them. In addition, survey research is generally more difficult in Japan than, for example, in the United States because people are highly concerned about protecting ‘private information’ (kojinjouhou) and are hesitant to fill out surveys even though their identities remain anonymous. As such, it took several visits and getting to know many community leaders and residents over the course of six years to conduct this research.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science [Project number 16K12382]