A Town Divided, Seeking Unity in the Aftermath of Disaster

A Town Divided

The mayoral and municipal assembly elections commenced on January 16th in Futaba, Fukushima Prefecture, a town co-hosting the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. Despite the lifting of evacuation orders in some areas in August 2022, only a small fraction of the town's registered residents have returned.

The aftermath of the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster has scattered Futaba's residents across the country and even abroad, posing a unique challenge for election campaigns. With a significant number of evacuees residing in Iwaki, 50 kilometers south, candidates face difficulties in identifying locations for rallies due to the relocation of many from temporary public housing.

The mayoral race is uncontested, with incumbent Shiro Izawa running for a fourth term. Despite his victory, Izawa acknowledges the hardships faced by many residents, vowing to address each issue individually. He has also campaigned in Iwaki, reaching out to voters who have left the public housing.

To support displaced voters, the town has established polling stations within Fukushima Prefecture and in Kazo, Saitama Prefecture, where the largest number of Futaba evacuees outside Fukushima reside. Early voting and mail-in ballots are also available.

However, participation in local elections has declined since the disaster, jeopardizing the foundation of local politics and democracy. Voter turnout for the 2021 assembly election dropped significantly compared to pre-disaster levels. This decline reflects a growing sense of apathy towards town governance among the dispersed residents.

The elections in Futaba highlight the ongoing challenges faced by a community grappling with the aftermath of a devastating disaster. As the town strives to rebuild, ensuring the participation of its scattered residents remains a crucial step towards a more representative and resilient future.