The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation

The Mansfield Asian Opinion Poll Database

View list of polls

View list of commentary

Return to Asian polls home page

YUMIURI SHIMBUN NOVEMBER OPINION POLL (P06-18)

Yomiuri Shimbun November Opinion Polls

Dates Conducted

November 11 and 12, 2006

Released

Publishing date not available

Copyright

2006 Yomiuri Shimbun

Methodology

Yomiuri conducted the poll in individual interviews on November 11 and 12 using a stratified two-stage random sample of 3,000 voters across the country. 1,757 people, or 58.6% of those selected, responded. (The final questions of the poll were not translated due to their lack of relevance to policy-related issues.)

Key Issues

• Support for Abe Cabinet, political parties
• Debate over Diet Members’ readmission to LDP
• Impact of nuclear test by North Korea
• Education Rebuilding Council

Background

After North Korea conducted a nuclear test, United States and China made a joint effort to reopen 6 party talks. Readmission to LDP for Diet Members who were kicked out of the party because of their opposition to postal privatization was a hot debate in the Japanese political arena. After revealed that the required subjects, such as the world history, had not been taught at many of the high schools in Japan, the Ministry took action to help out the students who did not take the world history class.

Link to Original Source

Data received directly from Yomiuri Shimbun

Disclaimer

The Mansfield Foundation is responsible for the translation of this Yomiuri Shimbun poll, subject to the Mansfield Foundation Terms of Use

Survey:

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

Support	65.1% (70)
Do not support	21.7% (18)
Other	3.1% (1.9)
Do not know; No answer	10.1% (10.1)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in October, 2006.

Q1-A If you answered “support” to Question 1, please select up to two reasons why you support the cabinet from the list below:

Positively evaluate its political stance	28.8% (26.4)
Have a feeling that the cabinet is stable	15.0% (10.8)
Can trust the Prime Minister	22.9% (21.6)
Have a fresh image of the Prime Minister	47.3% (52.3)
Can have faith in its economic policy	8.3% (7.8)
Can have faith in its foreign policy	21.8% (28.7)
Because of the LDP-Komeito coalition	5.9% (6.5)
Better than previous cabinets	8.1% (6.0)
Other; Do not know; No answer	3.8% (4.7)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in October, 2006.

Q1-B If you answered “do not support” to Question 1, please select up to two reasons why you do not support the cabinet from the list below:

Can not positively evaluate its political stance	30.4% (29.5)
Do not have a feeling that the cabinet is stable	16.0% (15.0)
Can not trust the Prime Minister	24.9% (19.7)
The Prime Minister does not have enough experience in politics	28.5% (29.5)
Can not have faith in its economic policy	23.6% (28.5)
Can not have faith in its foreign policy	14.4% (15.4)
Because of the LDP-Komeito coalition	16.8% (16.0)
Worse than the previous cabinets	6.0% (4.1)
Other; Do not know; No answer	4.7% (6.9)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in October, 2006.

Q2. From the list below, please select all applicable issues you would like the Abe Cabinet to take a priority and tackle on.

Economy and employment	50.8% (50.6)
Reconstruction of economy	18.8% (17.8)
Tax reform and the issue of consumption tax	30.0% (29.8)
Social security including pension and medical care	59.9% (59.2)
Measurement for stopping declining birthrate including support for child care	27.1% (28.4)
Education reform	29.5% (21.6)
Administrative reform including downsizing the number of government employees	18.3% (17.0)
Issues of disparities including income gap	19.6% (18.2)
Issues over Yasukuni Shrine	8.1% (11.1)
Diplomacy toward Asia includingChinaandSouth Korea	20.8% (26.0)
Issues overNorth Korea	42.6% (44.8)
National defense and security	13.2% (13.9)
Amendment to the Constitution	6.3% (5.7)
Disaster management	9.0% (7.7)
Measurement for preventing crimes and securing of peace and order	20.6% (20.4)
Environmental protection	14.5% (13.9)
Food safety	12.7% (13.1)
Other; Nothing special; Do not know; No answer	3.4% (2.2)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in October, 2006.

Q3. How long do you think you would like the Abe Cabinet to last? Please select one from the list below:

Want it to last As long as possible	36.1%
2-3 years	34.8%
Around 1 year	11.2%
Around half a year or so	2.6%
Want it to end as soon as possible	5.1%
Other	0.5%
Do not know; No answer	9.7%

Q4. Which political party do you support now? Please select one:

Liberal Democratic Party	45.9% (44.2)
Democratic Party ofJapan	11.2% (9.8)
Komeito	2.2% (3.3)
JapanCommunist Party	1.8% (1.6)
Social Democratic Party ofJapan	1.2% (1.5)
The People's New Party	0.2% (0.1)
The New PartyJapan	0.1% (---)
Others	0.1% (0.1)
Do not support any party	36.8% (38.9)
Do not know; No answer	0.6% (0.6)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in October, 2006.

Q4-A. What are the reasons for your support of the political party? Please select as many as you like from the list below:

		Supporters of LDP	Supporters of DPJ
Can agree on its political philosophy	33.1% (32.1)	32.6%(32.0%)	26.9%(27.9%)
The party can solve the problems surrounding you	12.7% (12.0)	9.4%(6.1%)	13.2%(12.5%)
The nature of the party has been better (good)	12.7% (12.1)	13.2%(13.7%)	12.7%(6.7%)
The head of the party is good	15.3% (17.7)	16.1%(21.4%)	14.7%(10.0%)
Have a favorite politician in the party	12.8% (10.7)	12.4%(8.9%)	16.2%(17.1%)
Family and acquaintances are supporting the party	13.4% (12.4)	13.3%(10.2%)	8.1%(10.0%)
Have no other appropriate parties to support	31.2% (33.2)	33.1%(35.4%)	31.5%(36.7%)
Somehow have a positive feeling	14.8% (15.5)	15.5(17.4%)	16.8%(15.0%)
Other; Do not know; No answer	4.4% (4.4)	2.7(2.9%)	9.6%(7.9%)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in October, 2006.

Q5. If you have other political parties you may not be able to support or you like, please select as many as you like from the list below:

LDP	7.9% (8.1)
DPJ	13.9% (17.0)
Komeito	5.2% (3.9)
JapanCommunist Party	2.0% (2.8)
Social Democratic Party ofJapan	3.1% (3.6)
The People's New Party	1.0% (1.1)
The New PartyJapan	0.6% (0.5)
Others	0.1% (0.1)
Do not support any party	67.8% (64.3)
Do not know; No answer	2.1% (2.2)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in May, 2006.

Q6. If you have any political parties you do not want to support or do not like, please select as many as you like from the list below:

LDP	6.3% (9.2)
DPJ	6.1% (6.2)
Komeito	16.0% (17.6)
JapanCommunist Party	28.9% (26.1)
Social Democratic Party ofJapan	10.0% (9.4)
The People's New Party	3.0% (3.4)
The New PartyJapan	3.4% (3.1)
Others	------(0.2)
Do not support any party	47.0% (45.9)
Do not know; No answer	1.0% (1.2)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in May, 2006.

Q7. Do you approve or oppose the readmission into the LDP of the group of Diet members who seceded from the party because they opposed the postal privatization in the Lower House election last year?

Approve	15.0%
If anything, approve	18.0%
If anything, oppose	22.7%
Oppose	33.3%
Do not know; No answer	11.0%

Q8. Do you think that DPJ has an ability to take charge of the political leadership?

Yes	30.8% (29.4)
No	57.5% (61.4)
Do not know; No answer	11.7% (9.2)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in May, 2006.

Q9. The Japanese government takes a policy of three nuclear principles of not making, possessing or allowing in nuclear weapons. Do you think that we should continue to preserve these principles or that it would be possible to alter them depending on the international circumstances?

We should preserve	66.6%
If anything, we should preserve	13.3%
If anything, it would be possible to alter	8.1%
We can alter	9.5%
Do not know; No answer	2.6%

Q10. In response to the announcement by North Korea that they conducted a nuclear test, some in the Japanese Government and the LDP suggested that it would be fine to have a discussion on whether or not Japan should possess nuclear weapons. Do you agree or disagree?

Agree	28.7%
If anything, agree	17.2%
If anything, disagree	16.1%
Disagree	34.8%
Do not know; No answer	3.3%

Q11. The United States, China and North Korea reached an agreement to resume 6-party talks over North Korea’s nuclear programs, and North Korea is to return to the table for the 6-party talks. Do you think you can expect that the issue of North Korea’s nuclear development is going to be solved by the 6-party talks?

Can expect	20.4%
Can not expect	74.2%
Do not know; No answer	5.4%

Q12. Prime Minister Abe established the Education Rebuilding Council in October in order to promote educational reforms. Do you expect the Council to be successful?

Can expect	31.5%
If anything, expect	26.5%
If anything, do not expect	17.4%
Do not expect	20.2%
Do not know; No answer	4.4%

Q13. It was revealed that required subjects, such as world history, have not been taught at many of high schools in Japan because they are not tested in university entrance exams. In order to reduce the burden on students, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology decided to reduce the number of hours required of third-year students to make-up for subjects that they did not take. Do you agree with this decision or not?

Agree	26.5%
If anything, agree	32.8%
If anything, do not agree	16.6%
Do not agree	19.1%
Do not know; No answer	4.9%

Q14. These days, many children have committed suicide because of bullying at school. What do you think in particular is the major factor for causing this situation? If any, please select as many as you like from the list below:

Parents do not teach social rules to their children	64.5%
Parents are not aware of the problems their children are facing	52.0%
There are problems with the ability of school teachers to guide children	48.3%
Schools do not take responsibility and try to hide the problems	45.0%
The Board of Education is unable to guide or supervise the schools	26.8%
The number of children who are not able to sympathize with others' pain	54.9%
Class mates and friends ignore the situation	35.5%
Trends in the local community and society have a negative impact on children	37.3%
Other	3.2%
Nothing special; Do not know; No answer	1.2%

Q15. What would be the image you may have toward so-called “Dankai no sedai” (post-World War II baby boomers) who were born between 1947 and 1949. If any, please select as many as you like from the list below:

Have always been forced to compete	36.7%
Are generation of the student movements	13.5%
Are generation of the Beatles	13.0%
Are corporate warriors	33.5%
Enjoyed economic bubble	25.7%
Underwent the wave of corporate restructuring (layoffs)	22.1%
Have changed society	18.8%
Are revolutionary	3.7%
Are conservative	7.4%
Cherish freedom	7.9%
Do things in a group	9.3%
Are powerful	24.6%
Are stubborn and care about the things or ways they like	25.3%
Impose their own ideas on others	12.4%
Tend to boast of the days when they were young	11.4%
Cherish relationships with their spouses	5.8%
Have spoiled their children	16.2%
Other; Nothing special; Do not know; No answer	10.5%

Q16. Do you feel a bond with people in the same generation as you?

Do feel very much	22.9%
Feel somewhat	39.6%
Do not feel very much	28.2%
Do not feel at all	8.0%
Do not know; No answer	1.3%

Q17. Do you want to participate in volunteer work from now on?

Do want to participate	21.2%
Want to participate somewhat	46.9%
Do not want to participate very much	20.8%
Do not want to participate at all	8.4%
Do not know; No answer	2.7%

Q18. In case your parents need nursing care in the future, do you want to look after them actively?

Do want to	17.6%
If anything, want to	23.3%
If anything, do not want to	20.0%
Do not want to	31.0%
Have no children	6.5%
Do not know; No answer	1.7%

Q19. Do you want your children to look after you in the future?

Do want to	17.6%
If anything, want to	23.3%
If anything, do not want to	20.0%
Do not want to	31.0%
Have no children	6.5%
Do not know; No answer	1.7%

Q20-A. Let us only ask men those who currently reside with spouse.
Currently, how much do you do housework, such as cooking, cleaning, or
laundry?

Do a lot	9.2%
Do somewhat	38.0%
Do not do much	28.2%
Do not do at all	23.5%
Do not know; No answer	1.2%

Q20-B. How much do you think you want to do housework from now on?

Want to do very much	13.7%
Somewhat want to do	53.3%
Do not want to do very much	21.0%
Do not want to do at all	10.9%
Do not know; No answer	1.0%

Q21-A. Let us only ask women those who currently reside with spouse.
Currently, how much does your spouse do housework, such as cooking,
cleaning, or laundry?

Does a lot	13.6%
Does somewhat	35.3%
Does not do very much	24.6%
Does not do at all	26.5%
Do not know; No answer	---

Q21-B. Do you want your spouse to do more housework actively from now on?

Want him to do actively	25.5%
Want him to do somewhat	48.6%
Do not want him to do very much	16.9%
Do not want him to do at all	7.9%
Do not know; No answer	1.1%

Basic Poll Characteristics

Region:

Hokkaido-Tohoku	(1 circuit; 6 prefectures)	12.5%
Kanto	(1 metropolis; 6 prefectures)	28.7
Chubu	(10 prefectures)	19.0
Kinki	(2 urban prefectures; 4 prefectures)	18.3
Chugoku-Shikoku	(9 prefectures)	9.8
Kyushu	(8 prefectures)	11.7

Size of city:

Large city	21.7%
Major urban area	19.0
Medium-sized city	25.1
SmallCity	23.3
Town or village	11.0
Figures based on November 1, 2006 classification system

F1 Sex:

Male	48.2%
Female	51.8

F2 Age:

20-24 years old	4.7	Twenties	10.9%
25-29 years old	6.3
30-34 years old	7.3	Thirties	15.8
35-39 years old	8.5
40-44 years old	7.1	Forties	14.6
45-49 years old	7.5
50-54 years old	8.8	Fifties	20.8
55-59 years old	12.0
		Sixties	22.7
		Seventies or older	15.1

F3 Education:

Elementary or Junior High School Graduate	14.5%
High School Graduate	48.2
Two-year college or University Graduate	36.5
Don't know/No answer	0.8

F4 Employment:

Agriculture, forestry, or fisheries	4.0	Self-employed	14.9%
Commerce, Industry, or services	9.7
Freelance	1.1
Administration or professional	5.7	Salaried worker	45.0
Office or technology	17.2
Labor or services	22.1
Full-time housewife	21.6	Unemployed; not working	40.1
Women other than housewives	4.1
Student	2.2
Other; unemployed; don't know; no answer	12.2

F5 Annual Salary Range:

Less than 2,000,000 yen	9.1%
2,000,000-4,000,000 yen	20.9
4,000,000-6,000,000 yen	22.3
6,000,000-8,000,000 yen	14.8
8,000,000-10,000,000 yen	8.6
More than 10,000,000 yen	5.5
Don't know; no answer	19.4

About the Foundation | Asian Opinion Polls | Mansfield Fellowships
Foundation Programs | Publications & Outreach | Support the Foundation
Contact Us | Search Site | Home Page

© 2005-2007 The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation