Murayama lab. conducts studies on environmental policy and planning.

Keywords in our research include risk assessment and management, environmental and risk communication, environmental assessment, policy dialogue, and social decision making.

 

Figure 1 Illustrates our research fields.

 

​

 

 

 

 

Fig.1   Research Fields of Murayama Lab.

 

​

Evaluation and Management of Environmental Risks from Socio-Economic Point of View

​

There are various environmental risks in our society. Due to insufficient data and information, it would  be  gradually getting difficult to make appropriate decision from only scientific judgment. That’s why we estimate risks based on objective data and examine the way of risk assessment and management considering public concerns about risks.  In addition, we aim to manage risks effectively and establish a system led by 'regulatory science'.

 

Research topics include;

 

    Evaluation and management of environmental risks induced by specific substances and sources such as asbestos

    Socio-economic approach for risk management

    Development of risk management for multiple sources in municipal scale

    Practical methods based on precautionary  principle or precautionary approach

    Historical sociology of environmental risk management

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

Environmental Communication and Consensus-Making

​

 

In order to resolve environmental issues, we need to have enough communication among multiple stakeholders and establish consensus making system. For that reason, we conduct experimental analysis especially in environmental risk communication. Picture 1 shows a public communication in the city of Kawagoe, Saitama. Through these cases, we examine the establishment and process of systems for policy and planning making.

 

After the Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accidents in 2011, we also conduct risk communication concerning radioactive materials.

 

By the other research methods such as interview with stakeholders, we also examine consensus making system. One of the case studies is consensus building in geothermal development project.

 

Research topics include;

 

    Environmental communication for environmental burdens from specific facilities

    Risk communication for multiple sources in municipal scale

    Socio-economic impacts and risk communication for radiation risks

    Practical approach through involvement in policy dialogue on chemical substance management

    Siting issues of waste management facilities considering scientific and democratic aspects.

 

​

Fig.2  Case of Risk Comunication on Chemical Substances

 

 

​

Environmental Impact Assessment

​

 

We also deal with researches on  the basic framework, evaluation methods, and process of public participation in EIA.   Recently, we focus on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as well as environmental and social consideration on official assistance  for developing countries.    Another topics include  coordination between EIA and risk assessment for accidents of large-scale facilities and disasters, Social Impact Assessment (SIA) as well as Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA).

 

One of the case studies is EIA review system in Taiwan. We analyze the effects of the system from the  viewpoints of scientific judgments as well as democratic process through stakeholder consultation.

 

Another case is environmental and social considerations for the Nam Theun 2 dam project in Laos funded by World Bank.  Through document surveys and field interviews, we examine the effects and issues of the project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Risk Evaluation

- Precautionary Approach

- Risk Communication

- Socio-Economic Analysis of

Risk Management

Accident & Disaster and Environmental Impact

Contents Analysis of Media Such as Newspaper and TV as well as Social media

- Environmental Impact Assessment

  - Consensus Building

    - Social Decision-Making

       - International Cooperation &

           Environmental and Social

              Consideration

Estimation of annual average concentration of Benzene using Geographical Information System (GIS)

Case of Geothermal plant

（Hacchobaru, Oita Pref.）

Copyright(C) 2012-2016 Murayama Lab. All right reserved.