Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health “Field Trip to Fukushima” Summary Presentation Held
On January 20, 2026 (Tuesday), 15 graduate students from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health “Field Trip to Fukushima” (GHP549, Winter Session) made presentations at our university.
After months of preparation, Harvard scholars spent most of January visiting various locations throughout Fukushima prefecture, conducting surveys and interviewing stakeholders regarding the current situation in disaster-affected areas, regional healthcare, environmental health, and reconstruction policies. Drawing on insights gained from this fieldwork, they made presentations on the progress of Fukushima's reconstruction and ongoing challenges.
Focusing on three areas—radiation protection and environmental health, disaster prevention and the resilience of healthcare systems, and regional recovery and social impacts—they proposed ways for prefectural residents to see “restoration” as a stepping stone toward a future better than the past, even suggesting a change from “Build Back Better” to “Build Forward Better” as our catchphrase.
Three groups presented their ideas for community activities to strengthen bonds among isolated evacuees, to deliver accurate understanding of health risks and arrange in-person meetings through the LINE app, and to individualize support and utilization of social infrastructure from a new welfare perspective for disaster-vulnerable populations. These presentations sparked multifaceted discussion.
Content focused not only on the challenges Fukushima has faced since the 3.11 triple disaster, but also on local initiatives and potential. It is hoped that these proposals for countermeasures grounded in Fukushima's current situation will contribute to future disaster response and public health policies here and around the world.
Attendees included FMU faculty, staff, and students, led by Dr. Shunichi YAMASHITA, FMU Vice President for International Affairs and Director of our International Exchange Center, along with numerous local stakeholders who assisted with the field trip. Even after the presentation session ended, lively discussion continued, with presenters and participating medical students forming groups. The multifaceted perspectives offered by rising stars from overseas provided a valuable opportunity to reexamine the current state of Fukushima's recovery and consider future steps forward.
Our mission to share Fukushima's experiences and insights with the world while providing opportunities for learning and exchange will continue. Through these efforts, faculty, staff, and students can gain a global perspective on Fukushima and further advance locally rooted research and initiatives to address challenges.
