Analyzing Anti-nuclear Public Opinion in Taiwan after Japan 311 Earthquake
Analyzing Anti-nuclear Public Opinion in Taiwan after Japan 311 Earthquake

Summary/Abstract: Japan 311 earthquake/tsunami and the following nuclear disaster in Fukushima create a strong anti-nuclear public opinion in Taiwan. Thus, the government was forced to seal Taiwan's fourth nuclear power plant at Dragon Gate, wavering its final decision. Nonetheless, the immediate damage caused by the nuclear disaster is far less than earthquake/tsunami. Why should people be scared by the nuclear disaster rather than the huge destructiveness of earthquake/tsunami? Indeed, the real danger after a nuclear disaster is the long-term health risks caused by radiation, but the health risks of unhealthy diet and lifestyle are actually far greater than those from radiation. Since people can accept unhealthy diet and lifestyle, why can't they accept nuclear power plant? Moreover, the climax of anti-nuclear public opinion in Taiwan was not reached at the immediate aftermath of 2011 3/11 earthquake/tsunami but three years later in 2014. Why was it? This article addresses all these puzzles and argues that, anti-nuclear public opinion in Taiwan is the product of lack of knowledge and political manipulation. With more information and without political ideology, the anti-nuclear public opinion in Taiwan will be changed. This argument is later confirmed by the internet questionnaire survey of article.

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