ABSTRACT
Young people worldwide are calling for their voices to count in creating a safer future. This chapter discusses the term epistemic justice as it relates to young people with childhood disaster experiences, such as how their rights are to be respected as people with knowledge after disasters. More specifically, this chapter investigates life stories narrated by young women and men who were adolescents during the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. These young people grew up as part of local communities that were not evacuated after the nuclear disaster and have been less studied. The chapter brings out central themes in the stories of young people concerning the ongoing coping with the aftermath of the accident in Fukushima outside the restricted zones. These include the fear of radiation, distrust of authorities and contradictory messages, social conflicts, splits and stigma, strong connections to hometowns, and taking action toward a better future. These findings reveal that young people with childhood disaster experiences can tell stories of coping with crises, and moreover have the power to make a change within their communities.
