• Eligible Population: 193,785
  Children (Ages 15 and younger): 17,788
  Adults (Ages 16 and older): 175,997
• Number of responses (Response rate): 37,191 (19.2%)
  Children (Ages 15 and younger): 2,170 (12.2%)
  Adults (Ages 16 and older): 35,021 (19.9%)

Yearly changes of the survey results

Changes in the percentage of children with an SDQ score (emotional and behavioral assessment) of 16* points or more

• The percentage of children with a high risk of showing certain problematic behaviors (SDQ score of 16 points or higher) was highest in FY2011 among all age groups, especially the 4-6 years age group, at 24.4%. The percentage declined thereafter for all age groups, with some leveling from FY2019 through FY2021, where percentages stayed about the same as prior studies (9.5%), but increased in all age groups in FY2022.

* SDQ (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) criteria with a cutoff value of 16 points based on previous studies

Changes in the percentage of those scoring 13* points or higher on K6

• In FY2011, the percentage of those with high-risk scores for mood disorder (depression) and anxiety disorder was 14.6%, declining gradually until an increase in FY2021, and it was 5.8% in FY2022. However, the percentage is still high compared to a value of 3% from a previous study covering the general public not affected by the disaster.

* K6 Distress Scale criteria with a cutoff value of 13 points, based on previous studies

Exercise habits: Changes in the percentage for frequency of exercise in adults

• The exercise frequency of “Almost every day” and “2-4 times a week” improved gradually, reaching 42.2% in the FY2022 survey. A national survey showed 40.6% for those who exercise more than 2 days a week (20 old and older), although not directly comparable with our survey because of differences in participants’ age and other attributes, indicating that the exercise habits of Fukushima residents were similar to those in Japan overall.

Changes in the percentage of problematic drinking (CAGE score of 2 points or higher)

• In the FY2022 survey, the proportion of those with high-risk (CAGE score of 2 points or higher) was 14.1% among males and 6.2% among females, showing a downward trend for both sexes.

Influences on daily life due to the spread of COVID-19

• In the FY2022 survey, those who responded that COVID-19 exerted influence on their daily life “Significantly” or “To some extent” (the affected group) accounted for 37.9%, which decreased compared with the last year.

Changes in risk perception of radiation health effects

• Regarding possible radiation effects on the next generation, 22.2% responded that they think effects on the next generation are likely to occur (“Possibilities are high” and “Possibilities are very high” combined) in the FY2022 survey. These percentages have been gradually decreasing.

We provide a telephone outreach support to those identified in need of support by telephone and interviewed them about current problems based on their survey responses.

• Number of those identified in need of support: 8,752
  Support by telephone: 3,159
  Support by mail: 5,593
• Number of those receiving support: 8,041
  Support by telephone: 2,448
  Support by mail: 5,593

Contents of consultations related to children in support by telephone

FY2011 is not included because the tabulation method was different from that for other years. Therefore, listings are from FY2012.

• The Mental Health Support Team made phone calls to responders (mostly to parents or guardians) and asked about current issues, based on survey form responses.
• With regard to the contents of a consultation, “Anxiety caused by the disaster or radiation and its exposure” was the most frequent in FY2012, but “School life-related matters” has become the most frequent issue in subsequent years.

Content of consultations related to themselves in support by telephone

FY2011 is not included because the tabulation method was different from that for other years. Therefore, listings are from FY2012.

• For adults, “physical problems” has been the most frequent, followed by “sleep problems” and “depression” since FY2012 to FY2022.