2021 Fukushima Medical University International Symposium on the Fukushima Health Management Survey

Nearly a decade has passed since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Our 2021 symposium is “10 years and beyond with the Fukushima Health Management Survey: What needs to be done to enhance the resilience of Fukushima’s people?” This forward-looking event will address our current situation, challenges, and future prospects while revisiting efforts of the past 10 years.As this symposium is open to the general public, anybody, including current or former residents of Fukushima Prefecture, health care workers, students, administrators, etc., can participate (preregistration is required).
As with last year’s symposium, we will implement COVID-19 prevention measures at the venue. In addition, this symposium will be broadcast in English and Japanese on our official website, to accommodate world-wide participation while avoiding crowded/close contact (preregistration is required).

Click here for the flyer PDF

(Added on January 15)
January 15 Acceptance of applications for participating in the international symposium at the venue has been suspended.

Event report

February 22, 2021

In the tradition of previous years, our 3rd International Symposium on the Fukushima Health Management Survey convened February 13 and 14 at The Celecton Fukushima. In contrast to previous years, only Fukushima Medical University staff, some domestic speakers, and media representatives were physically present at the venue. Online participation was arranged in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Thus, while our intended audience included Fukushima residents, healthcare providers, students, administrative professionals, and other stakeholders, on-line distribution enabled a wider, global audience.

Due to a substantial earthquake originating off the Pacific coast of Fukushima on the night of February 13, some speakers intending to be at The Celecton participated on-line. Thanks to everyone’s cooperation, the program was successfully completed even with such unexpected circumstances. We sincerely extend our gratitude.

At the event, Executive Director KAMIYA Kenji, along with other doctors and researchers from FMU and cooperating institutions, presented the results of the Fukushima Health Management Survey and related analyses and findings.
Six invited experts from overseas offered their perspectives online. Residents dedicated to the recovery of Fukushima and FMU students added their experiences and thoughts. Lively discussions addressed questions submitted from online participants. Even with such a successful event, not all questions could be answered in the allotted time, but those questions will guide our communication efforts between now and the next symposium.
As we continue to play a role in the revitalization and reconstruction of Fukushima by watching over the health of our residents, the Center, as part of a healthcare system, will endeavor to help people better understand their individual and community circumstances by disseminating results and lessons learned from the Fukushima Health Management Survey as simply and clearly as possible, but always based on science.

• Event program and presentation summaries are here.

Event Outline/Objective

Objective

Nearly 10 years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, subsequent tsunami, and nuclear accident of March, 2011. Recovery and revitalization of Fukushima have steadily progressed, including the resumption of full service along Japan Railway’s Pacific-coast Joban Line in March, 2019. The prefecture has also endeavored, with many and various supporters, to address harmful rumors and revitalize local industries while preserving essential memories of the disaster.
Yet, the light of progress still casts some shadows in today’s Fukushima, as progress in revitalization is punctuated by difficult challenges. Last year’s typhoons and the recent COVID-19 pandemic have added physical and mental burdens to Fukushima residents and hampered our revitalization efforts.
Under these circumstances, Fukushima Medical University’s Radiation Medical Science Center continues to conduct the Fukushima Health Management Survey (FHMS), as commissioned by Fukushima Prefecture in 2011, endeavoring to assess the health conditions of Fukushima residents and provide personalized care and health promotion support suited to individual needs.
As 2021 will be the milestone 10th year since our disaster, this next symposium will reflect on the progress of the FHMS, which continues to be a foundation to strengthen community resilience. By sharing knowledge and experience of renowned experts in and outside Japan, we aim to continue advancing the recovery and revitalization of Fukushima along with a corresponding sense of safety in a changing world. This time, our focus will include the FHMS Pregnancy and Birth Survey. Health care for evacuees and their current status, challenges, and future prospects will also be addressed.

Topic: 2021 Fukushima Medical University Symposium

Program: Day 1 February 13 (Sat)

*Due to measures taken to prevent coronavirus presentation of speakers marked with * was pre-recorded videos,while discussion was via live internet.

Opening Session

Part 1: FHMS at Present
Session 1: Pregnancy and Birth Survey and parenting support 12:30～15:00
Chair: MUROTSUKI Jun (Miyagi Children’s Hospital)

Session 2: Current status of and future perspectives on Thyroid Ultrasound Examinations (TUE),
15:10-18:30
Chair: YOKOYA Susumu (FMU)

プログラム：２日目 ２月１４日 (日)

*Due to measures taken to prevent coronavirus presentation of speakers marked with * was pre-recorded videos,while discussion was via live internet.

Session 3: Physical and mental health care for evacuees and their recovery 8:30-12:00
Chair: YASUMURA Seiji (FMU)

Part 2: The Future of the Fukushima Prefecture Health Management Survey
Session 4: What needs to be done to enhance the resilience of Fukushima’s people? 13:00-14:00

Session 5: Collaboration with International Organizations 14:40～17:50
Chair: KAMIYA Kenji (Executive Director, Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, FMU)

Closing 17:50-18:00

Main Venue Closes 18:00

Coronavirus Measures

１.Measures at the Venue

In accordance with national and institutional pandemic protocols, health screening will be conducted at the venue entrance (ground level). Fever ≥37.5 °C or other signs of illness are reasons to refuse admission. Spacing between seats, periodic sanitizing of facilities and equipment (including microphones) and other measures are intended to minimize risks, but venue managers cannot guarantee 100% protection. Everyone’s cooperation is essential for a safe and comfortable symposium. Guests will be reminded to avoid the 3 Cs: closed, crowded, and/or close contact settings.

２.To those attending the venue

Please follow mask-wearing instructions and other safety directives in the venue. Anyone with cold- or flu-like symptoms should refrain from coming to the venue, or leave the venue if symptoms occur while attending. We appreciate your diligence with hand washing and other hygiene precautions. We also urge you to download and activate COCOA, a trustworthy contact alert application, before arriving at the venue.

３.Regarding changes due to the spread of infection

Because the spread of coronavirus may result in further restrictions beyond those already in place, symposium activities are subject to change, e.g., in-person attendance may be selectively denied on the basis of a person’s location history, or eliminated altogether. We will do our best to provide timely notifications of any changes on the official event website and through other media.

To the Media