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OPINION POLL (P06-14)

Asahi Shimbun December Opinion Polls

Dates Conducted

December 9 and 10, 2006

Released on Asahi Shimbun morning edition

December 12, 2006
Copyright Asahi Shimbun 2006

Methodology

The poll was conducted by telephone on December 9 and 10, 2006, of voters from across Japan who were selected by the three-stage random selection method (the “Asahi RDD” method). The number of people who answered all the questions in full is 2018; the ratio of answers is 57%.

Key Issues

• Support rate for Abe Cabinet
• Readmission of the Diet Members to LDP who opposed Postal Privatization
• Economic outlook
• Bullying at schools

Background

This poll was conducted several days after the readmission of 11 Diet members to the LDP who had been forced to leave the party because they did not support postal privatization bills submitted by the administration of former Prime Minister Koizumi.
A number of suicides allegedly caused by bullying at school were revealed on the media and the responsibility of the municipal boards of education and schools was widely discussed.

Link to Original Source

Data received directly from Asahi Shimbun

Disclaimer

The Mansfield Foundation is responsible for the translation of this Asahi Simbun poll, subject to the Mansfield Foundation Terms of Use.

Survey:

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

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted on November 11 and 12, 2006.

Q1-a Why is it? Pick one from the following:

Section 1 shows the percentage out of the 47% who responded to support the Abe Cabinet. Figures in <> means the percentage out of the total responses.
Section 2 shows the percentage out of the 32 % who responded not to support the Abe Cabinet. Figures in <> means the percentage out of the total responses.
Q2. Currently, which political party do you support?

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted on November 11 and 12, 2006.

Q3. The Upper House election is scheduled to take place in the summer of 2007. At that election, which party do you want to win: the LDP or DPJ?

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted on September 26 and 27, 2006.

Q4. Two-and-a-half months have passed since Mr. Abe was appointed Prime Minister. At the time of his appointment, Mr. Abe expressed his passionate commitment to tackle reforms actively. Do you think his commitment still remains? Or, do you think it is receding?

Q4. Next, let us ask you about the readmission of Diet Members to the LDP who were kicked out of the party for opposing postal privatization. The LDP readmitted 11 members to the party who submitted a written pledge to support postal privatization. Do you support the fact that the LDP readmitted 11 members to the party? Or, do you not?

Q5. In the Lower House election of 2005, the LDP chose opposing candidates versus members who objected to postal privatization. Do you think the fact that the LDP readmitted 11 members to the party this time is in contradiction to the position the LDP had in the Lower House election of 2005? Or, do you not think so?

Q6. Prime Minister Abe says the LDP will no longer go back to the old ways of the LDP because of the readmission of 11 members to the party. Do you think the LDP will not go back to the old ways of the LDP under Prime Minister Abe? Or, do you think the LDP will?

Q7. Do you think Prime Minister Abe clearly explained the matter of readmission to the Japanese people? Or, do you not think so?

Q8. Do you think the readmission of 11 members will be an advantage to the LDP in the Upper House election in the summer of 2007? Or, do you think it will be a disadvantage?

Q9. Let us ask you about business and the economy. Do you think that economic prospects are gradually improving, gradually falling off, or will have no change?

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted on March 18 and 19, 2006.

Q10. Prime Minister Abe is promoting the policy for economic growth in Japan with a focus on the support of companies. Do you support this policy, or do you not?

Q11. Under the economic policy of Prime Minister Abe, do you think your life will be better, worse, or remain the same?

Q12. Different subject. Let us ask you about bullying. At the end of November 2006, the Education Resuscitation Council, established by Prime Minister Abe, made an emergency proposal for addressing the bullying issue. The proposal says that even if you are not directly involved in bullying, you will be counted as responsible even if you ignore a bullying incident happening near you. Do you think this kind of idea is appropriate, or it is going too far?

Q13. Moreover, the emergency proposal described above suggested that the school should take a stern approach toward children who bully others---teach them in a separated class room, impose volunteer community service, etc. Do you think these measures will be effective to eradicate bullying, or you do not think so?

Q14. On the matter of bullying, what would be the points you are most concerned about? Choose one from the following:

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