Q & A with Dr. Maxime Polleri, author of Radioactive Governance

Описание: Did you know that this year marks the 15th Anniversary of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident?

On March 11, 2011, Japan and its people were severely impacted by the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The natural disaster caused extensive displacement of people across Japan, especially in the Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures, and long lasting environmental, ecological, and economic impacts.

Radioactive Governance: The Politics of Revitalization in Post-Fukushima Japan by Dr. Maxime Polleri examines how Japan responded to the disaster. Unlike stories about Hiroshima or Chernobyl that focus on suffering and long-term harm, the Japanese government emphasized that radiation risks were limited, encouraged evacuees to return home, restarted nuclear power plants, and promoted resilience in the face of hardship.

The PTJC is pleased to welcome Dr. Maxime Polleri on March 11, 2026 in commemoration of the Nuclear Accident. Dr. Polleri is scheduled to give a Master Class/Skills Seminar to a select audience, as well as a Book Launch talk which is open to the general public.

We hope to see as many community members as possible at the upcoming event!

Master Class/Skills Seminar
Date: March 11, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Place: University of Alberta, Telus 215 E
Registration: by March 1, space limited
For: Graduate Students & Advanced Undergraduates

Book Talk
Date: March 11, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Place: University of Alberta, Telus 150
Registration: Not required
For: Everyone

To register, visit: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/prince-tak...

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Video time stamps
00:00 Start
00:05 How would you describe your project in a few words?
01:15 What does "radioactive governance" actually mean in everyday life?
02:58 Why should I care about Fukushima?
03:38 What's something most people get completely wrong about Fukushima's nuclear disaster?
04:43 Who gets to decide what level of radiation is "safe"?
06:07 What does Fukushima teach us about how modern states govern risk?
07:56 What does revitalization look like on the ground—not on paper?
09:42 If someone only remembers one things after watching this video, what should it be?