Yomiuri Shimbun March 2008 Opinion Polls

Q1. Do you support or not support the Fukuda Cabinet?

 

Support	33.9% (38.7)
Do not support	54.0% (50.8)
Other	2.6% (2.8)
Do not know; No answer	9.5% (7.7)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in February 2008

 

SQ1. [For those who answered “Support” to Q1]

Please select up to two reasons from the following for why you support the Fukuda Cabinet.

 

Positively evaluate its political stance	25.6% (26.7)
Feel that it is stable	28.4% (31.4)
Can trust the Prime Minister	27.9% (24.1)
Positively evaluate its economic policies	4.8% (6.4)
Positively evaluate its foreign policy	5.8% (5.7)
It is a coalition between the Liberal Democratic Party and theKomeitoParty	12.4% (12.2)
Fukuda is an LDP Prime Minister	30.5% (27.4)
It is better than previous cabinets	12.2% (13.3)
Other; Do not know; No answer	5.9%(5.1)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in February 2008

 

SQ2. [Those who answered “Do not support” to Q1 only]

Please select up to two reasons from the following for why you do not support the FukudaCabinet:

 

Cannot positively evaluate its political stance	47.8% (47.9)
Do not feel that the cabinet is stable	26.8% (27.6)
Cannot trust the Prime Minister	23.4% (27.8)
Cannot support the administration's economic policies	37.9% (37.0)
Cannot support the administration's foreign policy	8.6% (7.8)
It is a coalition between the Liberal Democratic Party and theKomeitoParty	8.8% (10.6)
Fukuda is an LDP Prime Minister	4.9%(5.4)
It is worse than previous cabinets	8.1% (6.6)
Other; Do not know; No answer	3.0% (2.4)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in February 2008

 

 

Q2. From list below, please select all applicable issues you would like the Fukuda Cabinet to prioritize and address:

 

Economic conditions/job security	53.9%(56.9)
Fiscal reconstruction	24.5%(23.0)
Tax reform and the issue of the consumption tax	32.1%(30.2)
Social security reform, including pensions and healthcare	58.1%(62.1)
Support for child care and countermeasures for declining birthrates	27.4%(27.8)
Education reform	18.6%(20.5)
Problems of income disparities	22.1%(26.0)
Administrative reform, such as cutting back the number of government employees	19.7%(17.0)
Politics and money issues	30.2%(28.5)
Foreign policy toward Asia, including China and South Korea	12.5%(12.8)
Issues with North Korea	17.9%(18.1)
National defense and security	11.6%( 8.3)
Constitutionalrevision	4.8%( 4.4)
Disaster prevention and crisis management	8.4%( 8.0)
Public safety and crime prevention	16.9%(14.8)
Environmental protection	22.7%(21.6)
Food safety	37.1%(40.3)
Other; Nothing special; Do not know; No answer	3.7%( 2.4)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in February 2008

 

 

Q3. Which political party do you support right now? Please select one:

 

Liberal Democratic Party	33.1%(32.6)
Democratic Party of Japan	17.6%(20.0)
KomeitoParty	2.7%( 3.2)
Japan Communist Party	2.5%( 2.1)
Social Democratic Party of Japan	1.1%( 0.9)
The New People's Party	0.3%( 0.1)
The New Party Nippon	0.1%( 0.1)
Other	---%( ---)
Do not support any party	41.9%(40.4)
Do not know; No answer	0.7%( 0.8)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in February 2008

 

 

Q4. Do you think the provisional tax on gasoline for road improvement should be maintained even after it expires in March or should it be scrapped?

 

Should be maintained	27.0% (29.4)
Should be scrapped	64.2% (62.1)
Do not know; No answer	8.8% ( 8.5)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in February 2008

 

 

Q5. On the bill to continue the added tax on gasoline, the ruling party aims to pass it, while the opposition party is against this. Do you think the ruling and opposition parties should come to an agreement through compromising and amending the bill?

 

Yes	63.3% (60.4)
No	28.5% (30.3)
Do not know; No answer	8.2% ( 9.3)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in February 2008

Q6. Do you think the government’s response to the collision of the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (MSDF) Aegis destroyer “Atago” and a fishing vessel [on February 9, 2008] was appropriate or not?

 

Appropriate	54.8%
Not appropriate	40.5%
Do not know; No answer	4.7%

 

 

Q7. Do you approve of the Democratic Party of Japan’s response to the personnel proposals for a new governor to the Bank of Japan?

 

Highly approve	4.4%
Somewhat approve	21.0%
Do not really approve	37.7%
Do not approve at all	21.7%
Do not know; No answer	15.2%

 

 

Q8. When do you think the dissolution of the House of Representatives and the next general election should be held? Please select one of the following.

 

As soon as possible	22.2%
After the [G8] Summit in July	22.5%
Within the year	22.0%
Anytime before the term ends in Sept. 2009	24.7%
Do not know; No answer	8.6%

 

 

Q9. What arrangement of political parties do you think is ideal in an administration right now? Please choose one from the following list of responses.

 

The current LDP/Komeitocoalition	22.1% (22.0)
Coalition of opposition-parties centered on DPJ	16.1% (17.5)
LDP one-party rule	7.2% ( 6.7)
DPJ one-party rule	4.9% ( 5.2)
Coalition government between LDP and DPJ	20.7% (19.0)
New framework involving realignment of ruling and opposition parties	15.3% (17.2)
Other	0.4% ( 0.1)
Do not know; No answer	13.2 (12.2)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in February 2008

 

 

Q10. It will soon be half a year since Prime Minister Fukuda was appointed to office. Overall, do you approve of the performance of Prime Minister Fukuda and his cabinet or not?

 

Highly approve	4.9%
Somewhat approve	28.6%
Do not really approve	41.7%
Do not approve at all	21.8%
Do not know; No answer	3.0%

 

 

Q11. If there is something you approve of in Prime Minster Fukuda/his cabinet’s performance or responses, please select as many from the following as apply.

 

Resumption of MSDF refueling activities in the Indian Ocean	11.8%
Blanket relief for plaintiffs in Hepatitis C group class-action case	49.9%
Establishment of the National Commission on Social Security	3.5%
Response to the missing pension records issue	17.5%
Establishment of Minister of Consumer Affairs and Council for Promoting Consumer Policy	3.3%
Handling of food poisoning incidents from Chinese-made frozen dumplings	8.6%
Response to economic conditions, such as stock prices	1.6%
Response to the Aegis destroyer collision	5.3%
Diplomacy with U.S.	3.9%
Diplomacy with China, South Korea	10.4%
Proposal of new ideas for global warming	11.5%
Other	0.2%
Nothing I can approve of	27.1%
Do not know; No answer	4.5%

 

 

Q12. Do you understand well what kind of politics Fukuda is aiming for or not?

 

Understand well	8.8%
Do not understand well	88.7%
Do not know; No answer	2.5%

 

 

Q13. Do you think Prime Minister Fukuda’s job performance is solid or not?

 

Yes	43.2%
No	47.8%
Do not know; No answer	9.0%

 

 

Q14. In the Fukuda Cabinet, is there someone whose performance you positively evaluate? Select as many members as apply.

 

HiroyaMasuda, Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications	3.6%
KunioHatoyama, Minister of Justice	4.3%
Masahiko Komura, Minister for Foreign Affairs	6.0%
FukushiroNukaga, Minister of Finance	1.6%
KisaburoTokai, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology	1.2%
YoichiMasuzoe, Minister of Health,Labourand Welfare	51.4%
Masatoshi Wakabayashi, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries	0.7%
AkiraAmari, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry	1.2%
TetsuzoFuyushiba, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport	4.1%
IchiroKamoshita, Minister of the Environment	2.1%
ShigeruIshiba, Minister of State for Defense	13.5%
NobutakaMachimura, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minister of State for the Abduction Issue	8.6%
Shinya Izumi, Minister of State, Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission	0.4%
FumioKishida, Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs; Consumer Affairs	0.8%
Yoshimi Watanabe, Minister of State for Financial Services and Administrative Reform	11.5%
Hiroko Ota, Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy	3.6%
YokoKamikawa,Minister of State for Gender Equality and Social Affairs	1.6%
Nobody; Do not know; No answer	35.8%

 

 

Q15. How long would you like the Fukuda Cabinet to stay in power for?

 

As long as possible	12.8%
2-3 years	14.4%
About 1 year	22.7%
About 1/2 year	18.6%
Quit as soon as possible	25.3%
Other	0.3%
Do not know; No answer	5.9%

 

 

Q16. Do you approve of [Ichiro] Ozawa’s performance as the President of the Democratic Party of Japan or not?

 

Highly approve	4.3%
Somewhat approve	25.1%
Do not really approve	42.0%
Do not approve at all	23.0%
Do not know; No answer	5.7%

 

 

Q17. Out of the current members of Parliament, who do you think is the most suitable to be prime minister? Please select one from the following (names given in [Japanese] alphabetical order).

 

TaroAso	21.2%
ShinzoAbe	1.2%
NobuteruIshihara	1.8%
Akihiro Ota	0.5%
KatsuyaOkada	2.1%
Ichiro Ozawa	5.3%
Naoto Kan	3.4%
Yuriko Koike	1.3%
JunichiroKoizumi	16.1%
SadakazuTanigaki	1.7%
ShochiNakagawa	0.3%
FukushiroNukaga	0.2%
YukioHatoyama	0.9%
YasuoFukuda	4.0%
SeijiMaehara	0.8%
YoichiMasuzoe	3.2%
NobutakaMachimura	0.9%
KaoruYosano	0.3%
Other	0.5%
Nobody	24.9%
Do not know; No answer	9.5%

 

 

The following questions are related to the Japanese constitution.

 

Q18. What areas of the current Japanese constitution are you interested in? The following issues are all related to the constitution; if you think any particular ones are of interest, please select as many from the following as apply.

 

Emperor and the Imperial family	20.1%
Renunciation of war;Self Defense Forces	46.9%
Equality and discrimination	17.6%
Freedom of expression in speech, publications, images, etc.	10.6%
Disclosure of information	11.8%
Privacy protection	15.3%
Right to life, social welfare	18.8%
Environment	31.0%
Association, demonstrations, strikes	2.1%
Electoral system	10.7%
Justice system	20.4%
Official visits toYasukuniShrine	15.0%
Constitutional revision	13.0%
Separation of powers	4.6%
Local government	13.0%
Bicameral legislature	6.8%
Background/process of constitution's formation	4.3%
Do not know; Nothing in particular; No answer	15.5%

 

 

Q19. Do you think the current constitution should be revised or not?

 

Yes	42.5%
No	43.1%
Do not know; No answer	14.4%

 

SQ1. [For those who answered “Yes” to Q19]

Why do you think the constitution should be revised? Please select as many from the following as apply.

 

Because it was forced upon Japan by U.S.	31.2%
To clarify Japan's right to self defense, and officially acknowledgeSDF'sexistence	24.5%
Because there are too many claims to rights, and obligations are being neglected	24.6%
Because confusion is caused by simple interpretation/application of constitution	30.8%
Because new problems are created as current constitution cannot respond to international contributions, etc.	45.2%
Other	3.0%
Do not know; No answer	1.3%

 

SQ2. [For those who answered “No” to Q19]

Why do you think the constitution should not be revised? Please select as many from the following as apply.

 

Because it is already entrenched among the people	42.7%
Because it is a peace constitution which can be boasted to the world	52.5%
Because basic human rights and democracy are protected	26.6%
Because as thecircumstanceschange, interpretation and application can be broadened	17.8%
Because if revised, road to becoming a military superpowermay open	27.3%
Other	0.9%
Do not know; No answer	1.0%

 

 

Q20. In dealing with the various problems surrounding Article 9 of the constitution (in which Japan renounces the right to war and to arms), the government has responded through “interpretation” and “application.”  What do you think should be done about Article 9 in the future? Please select one from the following.

 

Continue to respond via interpretation/application	36.2%
Revise Article 9, as interpretation/application has reached its limits	30.7%
Strictly observe Article 9, and do not respond via interpretation/application	23.9%
Other	0.3%
Do not know; No answer	8.9%

 

 

Q21. There are two paragraphs that make up the text of Article 9. Please respond, in turn, as to whether you think each needs to be revised.

 

SQ1. Do you think Paragraph 1, which stipulates the renunciation of war, needs to be revised or not?

Yes	12.5%
No	81.6%
Do not know; No answer	5.9%

 

SQ2. Do you think Paragraph 2, which stipulates that armed forces and war potential will not be maintained, needs to be revised or not?

Yes	36.8%
No	54.5%
Do not know; No answer	8.6%

 

 

Q22. If a close ally of Japan is attacked, this attack is seen as a threat to Japan’s security; the right to strike back at the attacker is termed “the right of collective self-defense.” In the government’s view, Japan has this right, but its exercise is circumscribed by the constitution. From the following choices, please select that which is closest to your thinking on the right of collective self-defense.

 

Revise constitution so right of collective self-defense can be exercised	18.7 %
Change interpretation of constitution so right of collective self-defense can be exercised	22.1 %
Right does not need to be exercised	51.6 %
Other	0.3%
Do not know; No answer	7.3%

 

 

Q23. Whenever the government has sent the Self Defense Forces on any extended overseas dispatch (besides UN peacekeeping operations), it has made a special law each time. To amend this situation, do you think a new “permanent law” that establishes comprehensive rules for SDF overseas dispatches is necessary or not?

 

Yes 46.0%

No 42.1%

Do not know; No answer 11.9%

 

 

Q24. As written in the constitution, the Diet is bicameral, with a Lower House and an Upper House. There are various debates and opinions on the bicameral system. From the following choices, please select that which is closest to your thinking.

 

Make it a unicameral system	18.8%
Keep bicameral system, but strengthen role/authority of Lower House	12.5%
Keep bicameral system, but strengthen role/authority of Upper House	17.5%
System is fine as is	44.2%
Other	0.3%
Do not know; No answer	6.6%

 

 

Q25. The Constitution stipulates that a bill which passes the Lower House, even if voted down in the Upper House, can be enacted via a second vote in the Lower House that receives a two-thirds majority.  From the following choices, please select that which is closest to your thinking on this “second vote” in the Lower House.

 

It is reasonable	9.7%
It cannot be helped	35.6%
It should be a last resort	33.8%
It should be avoided	14.1%
Do not know; No answer	6.8%

 

 

Q26. A national referendum on amending the constitution will be held in two years. Last August, a constitutional committee was set up in the Diet to engage in debate on the constitution. Do you think that the political parties should also step up debate on the constitution or not?

 

Yes	70.8%
No	19.3%
Do not know; No answer	9.9%

 

 

Q27. In the national referendum, some are seeking votes on the constitutional amendment from those 18 years old and up, provided that the adult age (currently age 20 under the Civil Code) is changed to 18. Do you think that the voting age on the constitutional amendment should be 18 or not?

 

Yes	36.2%
No	59.7%
Do not know; No answer	4.1%

 

 

Q28. In the Japanese Constitution, if there are any topics on which you think clauses should be changed, or new clauses should be added, please choose as many from the following as apply.

 

Emperor's status/function	14.1%
Maintenance of army for self defense	26.5%
Active international cooperation	19.5%
Right to information fromgov'tagencies	19.1%
Protection of personal information/privacy	17.7%
Respect for families	12.7%
Right to live in a favorable environment	25.3%
Strengthening Prime Minister's authority for emergencies, etc.	13.0%
Role of Upper and Lower Houses	14.7%
Role of nation/localities	22.1%
Establishment of Constitutional Court	5.1%
Other	0.2%
Nothing in particular	24.4%
Do not know; No answer	4.5 %

 

 

The following questions are related to public safety.

 

Q29. Do you think that these few years, public safety in Japan has gotten better or worse?

 

Better	2.1%
Relatively better	9.4%
Relatively worse	37.8%
Worse	48.0%
Do not know; No answer	2.7%

 

SQ1. [For those who answered “Relatively worse” or “Worse” to Q29]

What do you think the reason is behind the worsening of public safety? Please select as many from the following as apply.

 

Police crime prevention inadequate	25.7%
Police cannot resolve heinous crimes	23.6%
Punishment for crimes too light	44.3%
Foreigners, including illegal immigrants, have increased	40.3%
Issues with education at school/home	47.3%
Neighborhood connections weaker	44.6%
Overall erosion of society's morals	66.8%
Abundance of harmful information that leads to crime	43.0%
Other; Do not know; No answer	1.6%

 

 

Q30. What aspects of recent trends in crime do you think are particularly a problem? Please select as many from the following as apply.

 

Increasingly atrocious	53.5%
Increasingly impulsive	56.2%
Armed crimes increasing	25.1%
More foreigners committing crimes	39.0%
Increasingly young assailants	55.2%
Elderly, women, children increasingly targeted	39.3%
Crime closer to home	28.6%
Crime by repeat offendersincreasing	18.0%
Increase in white-collar crime, such as fraud	44.5%
Other; Do not know; No answer	1.8%

 

 

Q31. Are you concerned that you or your family might become a victim in some sort of crime?

 

Highly concerned	25.1%
Somewhat concerned	44.7%
Not very concerned	24.9%
Not concerned at all	4.8%
Do not know; No answer	0.6%

 

SQ1. [For those who answered “Highly concerned” or “Somewhat concerned” to Q31]

What kind of crime do you think you or your family might become victim to? Please select as many from the following as apply.

 

Atrocious crime, like robbery or murder	31.4%
Lock picking/thief	56.8%
Snatcher/pick-pocketing	45.3%
Assault/injury	33.6%
Stalking/sex crime	19.7%
[Child's] kidnapping/confinement	26.9%
Fraud/scam	57.8%
Car/motorcycle theft	39.3%
Other; Do not know; No answer	1.4%

 

 

Q32. Do you trust the police to protect the safety of you/your family or not?

 

Highly trust	24.8%
Somewhat trust	42.7%
Do not trust much	20.4%
Do not trust at all	10.9%
Do not know; No answer	1.3%

 

SQ1. [For those who answered “Do not trust much” or “Do not trust at all” to Q32]

Please select as many from the following as apply as to why you do not trust the police.

 

Decreasedinvestigative ability	27.2%
Decrease in police officers' morals	66.8%
Tendency to conceal scandals within police organization	59.3%
Non-empathetic response to everyday problems	47.3%
Slow response to new types of crime	22.9%
Inadequate control over criminal organizations/groups	24.2%
Conduct forcible investigations of suspects	23.8%
Other	2.0%
Do not know; No answer	0.5%

 

 

Q33. Do you think that to protect your self/family, you must take crime prevention measures yourself, even if it costs money?

 

Yes	78.6%
No	18.9%
Do not know; No answer	2.6%

 

 

Q34. To protect yourself/your family, if there is something you implement or are careful about, select as many from the following as apply.

 

Avoid going out late/to dangerous places	56.2%
Pay attention to crime/suspicious person information	40.3%
Speak with neighbors	42.1%
Participate in local crime prevention	16.0%
Carry an alarm	14.5%
Increase security of home, by changing locks, etc.	28.3%
Use a security company	4.2%
Other	1.0%
Nothing in particular	13.3%
Do not know; No answer	0.2%

 

 

Q35. Do you think that Japan’s current public safety is good, bad, or average compared to that of other countries around the world?

 

Good	50.1%
Average	39.3%
Bad	8.8%
Do not know; No answer	1.8%

 

 

Fundamental Characteristics of the Survey Sample:

 

Regional Distribution

Hokkaido, Tohoku	11.5%
Kanto	30.3%
Chubu	19.2%
Kinki	17.4%
Chugoku, Shikoku	10.3%
Kyushu	11.3%

 

City Scale

Large metropolitan areas (Tokyo's 23 wards and ordinance-designated cities)	21.8%
Large mid-sized cities (cities with population over 300,000)	18.5%
Mid-sized cities (cities with population over 100,000)	23.9%
Small cities (cities with population under 100,000)	24.5%
Towns and villages	11.4%

The scale is based on the established standards as of March 14, 2008

 

Gender Distribution

Male	46.3%
Female	53.7%

 

Age Distribution (in years)

20-24	4.8%
25-29	4.6%
30-34	6.3%
35-39	8.0%
40-44	7.2%
45-49	7.3%
50-54	10.0%
55-59	11.2%
60-69	22.5%
Over 70 years old	18.3%

 

Educational Background

Elementary/middle-school graduate	15.5%
High-school student or graduate	49.2%
College/junior-college student or graduate	34.1%
Do not know; No answer	1.2%

 

Occupational Background

[Self-employed]	13.4%
[Salaried worker]	43.3%
[Other]	43.3%
Agriculture/Forestry/Fishing	3.4%
Business/Industry/Service	9.0%
Freelance Professional	1.1%
Management/Professional	3.8%
Office worker/Skill industry	18.5%
Labor/Service	21.0%
Housewife	22.5%
Domestic woman other than a housewife	5.0%
Student	2.2%
Other; Unemployed; No answer	13.6%

 

Household Annual Income (in Japanese yen)

Below 2 million	11.0%
In between 2 and 4 million	22.1%
In between 4 and 6 million	22.1%
In between 6 and 8 million	15.5%
In between 8 and 10 million	5.7%
Over 10 million	5.0%
Do not know; No answer	18.8%