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Framing analysis of Japan and China's response to Fukushima water discharge

Technical rationality vs local experience

Bibliographic Data

ID13129147
AuthorsCongrong Sun (Beijing Normal University), Chenxi Sun (0000-0003-3421-4587), Qingliu Ren (Beijing Normal University), Xiaolin Liu (0000-0002-6909-117X, Beijing Normal University), Yuejing Ge (Beijing Normal University, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume27
Pages100313-100313
Publication date2026-01-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEarth System Governance (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2589-8116 • E-ISSN: 2589-8116
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.esg.2026.100313
OpenAlexW7125955760
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited54

This study examines how China and Japan competed to frame the Fukushima water discharge while constructing domestic and international legitimacy. Using a functional framing model and frame-credibility dimensions, we compare strategies: Japan promoted a “Scientific Safety” frame to build technical legitimacy, bolstered by international authority endorsements; China advanced an “Environmental Justice” frame stressing historical accountability, ecological risk, and regional cultural resonance. The confrontation exposed tensions between technical rationality and lived local experience. Internationally, framing moved from a bilateral contest to a multi-level legitimacy struggle and edged toward a tentative, monitoring-based partial accommodation through emerging oversight mechanisms, while deeper conflicts over risk, justice and responsibility remained unresolved. The results enrich theory on framing, legitimacy, and risk governance, and offer practical guidance for bridging technical and cultural claims in global environmental disputes

China · CONTEST · Frame analysis · Framing (construction · Legitimacy · Rationality · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Risk Perception and Management · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance

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Unique citing works1
Citations per year1
Citation span2026 - 2026 (1)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 1

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