Slovenia – Japan: Overcoming the nuclear threats and anxiety

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Interdisciplinary research in the fields of psychosocial, memory and economic sciences has shown that under certain conditions, “vague (complex or ambiguous) anxiety” can have a devastating effect on the social activities of individuals and groups of people. Anxiety arises from fear of unfamiliar situations or changes in the environment, in particular perceived threats associated with certain situations or actors that threaten an individual’s security or the security of resources such as food, clothing, shelter and energy. The result is destructive collective action or apathy and extreme passivity, leading to stagnation of social activities.

In recent years, we are increasingly confronted with social anxiety related to nuclear weapons, security and resource provision, and the mix of true and false facts that permeate popular Internet culture. In this context, end-of-the-world thinking is spreading rapidly. A similar social phenomenon has been observed in the past in Japanese cities that were bombed with atomic weapons. Nevertheless, a tremendous recovery has been achieved, mainly due to the “psychosocial regeneration” this project has addressed. The project will focus on overcoming anxiety about the expectation of the Day of Judgement and the consequences of post-conflict devastation, as a key to the constructive development of social life, while embracing diversity in today’s world marked by instability, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. By clarifying the nature of anxiety in practical terms, the project explains the process of ‘overcoming anxiety’, examining memories of past nuclear wars and post-war reconstruction. The results of the research will be used to develop tools to help those affected think constructively and to support bilateral cooperation on humanitarian issues, making this project both original and practical.

Project number: BI-JP/25-27-003

Duration: 1. 4. 2025 – 31. 3. 2027