Japanese people worry to buy food products from Fukushima prefecture. Previously, there were 15% of people hesitating to buy the Fukushima food; now the figure is 20%. The Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan conducts such a survey among consumers twice a year. The results showed how misinformation, rumors, and other social factors influence the people’s decision to buy the products.
Of those surveyed, 22.5% believe that the government must impose stricter regulations concerning radiation and food, and 47% said that they would like to avoid intake of food with radioactive substances even if the radiation level is below safety limits set by the government. Experts cannot yet determine the exact cause of growing concern. “The increasing number of media reports on radiation and health effects may have had an effect on consumers’ awareness,” the agency said. However, it notes that it is just a suggestion.
Only 31% of respondents said that safety of food, including the level of additives and radioactive contamination, is a factor when they purchase food, compared to 71% who said the price is a priority.
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said it has plans afoot to restart two reactors in the Sendai nuclear power plant in Kagoshima prefecture. Later the decision was approved by the government. The announcement led to mass protests with about 16,000 people involved.
