米全量全袋検査の運用実態と課題 : 放射性物質検査に関する制度的問題に着目して

Rice Inspection

農村経済研究

This paper examines in detail the operational conditions of the inspection of every bag of rice in Fukushima Prefecture, identifying the status of the system and its problems. First, I determined how Fukushima’s rice inspection was positioned in the broader institutional framework related to the inspection of radioactive material. Second, I summarized in detail the implementation of the inspections in Fukushima and their results. Third, I verified how the inspection results are employed. This comprehensive review identified several points with regard to the current system and how it should be revised. The main problem is that rice inspection is not stipulated in the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters’ guidelines for monitoring and inspection, and only Fukushima Prefecture is onducting this inspection at its own discretion. Results of the rice inspections conducted in 2012 demonstrate that it was difficult within the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters’ guidelines to provide a rapid response in cases where radiation levels exceeded standard values. It is recommended that the current system should undergo review, including a comprehensive evaluation of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters, and that a framework should be established to indicate the geographical area where inspection is required. Additionally, an inspection system for rice for personal consumptionor traded privately among friends and family (enkomai) should be considered; a process for these inspections does not exist within the current system.