Exploring the Fukushima Effect: A Corpus-Based Discourse Analysis of the Algorithmic Public Sphere in Post-3/11 Japan

Abstract

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident had a global impact on public acceptance, risk perception, and trust in nuclear power generation. Despite growing public distrust in Japan, the Abe government decided to restart nuclear power plants in 2012. Japanese newspapers, such as Asahi and Yomiuri, exhibited contrasting stances on nuclear energy, contributing to the public discourse. While extensive research exists on the nuclear discourse in mass media, studies on social media discourses and their comparison to the public sphere are lacking. This thesis examines the discourse on nuclear phase-out in the Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun newspapers, as well as on Twitter, following the Fukushima accident. It aims to understand how topics, attitudes, and opinions spread across different media, particularly focusing on keyword and collocation analyses. The analysis utilizes purpose-built corpora for the newspapers and Twitter, employing critical discourse analysis and corpus linguistics methods. The study reveals that in 2011, the discourse covered a wide range of topics, including anti-nuclear measures, protests, economy, energy, safety, construction, technology, disaster, and environment. By 2014, newspapers primarily focused on the economy and elections, while Twitter discussions mainly involved maintaining an online community among protesters. The framing of the nuclear phase-out shifted from criticizing Prime Minister Kan's campaign to criticizing the pro-nuclear campaign of the Abe government, with both newspapers engaging other political actors in the critique. On Twitter and Asahi, connective action was observed, mobilizing the anti-nuclear movement. Different frames were employed by the newspapers. Yomiuri emphasized nuclear education, regional development, and Germany's economic disadvantage due to its anti-nuclear stance. Asahi and Twitter invoked resistance education, radiation hazards awareness, alternative energy support, and Germany's anti-nuclear movement as a model. Yomiuri also discussed energy independence and green nuclear frames, while Asahi emphasized the need for alternative energy development. Overall, this research sheds light on the interconnectedness between traditional media and social media in shaping the nuclear phase-out discourse, while identifying the unique contributions and limitations of each platform. Show more