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PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY ON THE SELF-DEFENSE FORCE BY THE CABINET OFFICE OF JAPAN (P06-20)

Public Opinion Survey on the Self-Defense Force by the Cabinet Office of Japan

Dates Conducted

February, 2006

Released

May 1, 2006

Methodology

The poll was conducted by conducting interviews with persons over the age of twenty selected from all over Japan by a two-layer random sampling method. Of the 3,000 targeted, 1,657 responded and 1,343 did not.

Key Issues

• General public interest in the operations of the Japanese Self-Defense Force and security
• Impressions of the Self-Defense Force
• Mindsets regarding security structures
• The mission and goals of the Self-Defense Force
• Japanese security and defense structures

Background

Japanese and international communities have become more conscious of the breadth and expanding role of the Japanese Self-Defense Force (SDF) as it becomes much more active in the United Nations and other coalitions, such as the Coalition of the Willing, fighting the war on terror and responding to international crises. This assertion of a nation who previously protracted diplomacy through its checkbook has increasingly brought greater scrutiny of the scope of the SDF in relation to the pacifist clauses of Japan’s constitution.

Link to Original Source

http://www8.cao.go.jp/survey/h17/index-h17.html

Disclaimer

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

Survey:

1. Interest in the Self-Defense Force/ Security Issues

Q1. Do you have interest in security issues and the Self-Defense Force? Please choose only one from the following list.

Very interested	15.4%
Interested to certain degree	52.0
Do not really have interest	25.6
Do not have any interest at all	6.3
Don't know	0.7

SQa. For those who answered, “very interested,” or, “interested to a certain degree,” in Q1 what is your reason? Please choose only one from the following list. (N=1,117)

Because it is a problem affecting Japanese peace and independence	39.4%
Because it is a problem affecting the international community's stability	20.8
Because, in dealing with large-scale disasters, and various other situations it has a close relationship with the lives of the people	29.2
Because it is often a topic in the media	2.9
Because it uses the people's tax money	6.3
Because the Self Defense force is unnecessary	0.6
Other	0.5
Don't know	0.4

SQb. For those who answered, “do not really have interest,” or “do not have any interest at all,” in Q1 what is your reason? Please choose only one from the following list. ( N=528)

Because you do not perceive a pressing military threat	19.7%
Because the Self-Defense Force is unnecessary	2.1
Because it has no relation to your personal life	31.8
Because you do not understand the Self- Defense Force or security issues very well	40.2
Other	2.7
Don't know	3.6

2. Impressions of the Self-Defense Force
(Everyone was polled)
Q2 Do you generally have a good impression or a bad impression of the Self-Defense Force? Please choose only one from the following list.

Have a good impression	37.9%
Do not have a bad impression	47.0
Do not have a good impression	8.0
Have a bad impression	2.0
Don't know	5.1

3. Mindset regarding Security Structures
(Question was asked after having respondents carefully look at data presented to them)

Q3. Do you generally think that the Self-Defense Force should become stronger, stay the same as it is right now, or be reduced?

Should become stronger	16.5%
Should stay the same as it is right now	65.7
Should be reduced	9.4
Don't know	8.3

4. Sense of the Self-Defense Force’s mission and activities

Q4 The Self-Defense Force has been given many duties and jobs. What do you think is the purpose that the Self-Defense Force envisions? Please choose as many as apply from the following.

Guaranteeing the nation's safety (preventing aggression from foreign countries)	69.4%
Maintenance of domestic public order	42.8
Disaster relief (rescue operations and the transport of urgent patients in the time of disaster)	75.3
Initiatives towards international cooperative peace exercises (activities for the international communities' peace and stability)	41.8
Civilian cooperation (public works, support for national athletic meets, processing unexploded shells)	22.1
Dealing with ballistic missile attacks	16.2
Dealing with suspicious ships and armed spies, etc.	22.6
Other	0.4
Don't Know	2.0

Q5. What area do you think the Self-Defense Force should strengthen next? Please choose as many as apply.

Guaranteeing the nation's safety (preventing aggression from foreign countries)	54.9%
Maintenance of domestic public order	34.4
Disaster relief (rescue operations and the transport of urgent patients in the time of disaster)	67.1
Initiatives towards international cooperative peace exercises (activities for the international communities' peace and stability)	36.9
Civilian cooperation (public works, support for national athletic meets, processing unexploded shells)	17.3
Dealing with ballistic missile attacks	13.9
Dealing with suspicious ships and armed spies, etc.	17.8
Other	0.4
Don't Know	1.6

Q6. What impression do you have concerning disaster relief operations that the Self- Defense Force has carried out thus far? Please choose only one of the following.

Producing large results	28.4%
Producing results to a degree	60.5
Not really producing results	7.4
Mostly producing no results	1.7
Don't know	2.0

Q7. If you know of any international peace keeping operations that the Self-Defense Force has taken part in, please choose as many of the following that apply.

Cooperation over efforts aimed at rebuilding Iraq	88.4%
Operations dealing with international terrorism	28.5
International peace keeping operations	45.3
Japan International Cooperation Agency activities	68.9
Initiatives for a security plan regarding the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction	13.3
Not aware of any from this list	2.8
Don't know	1.6

Q8. How do you think the Self-Defense Force should engage in international peace- keeping operations from here on out? Please choose only one of the following.

Should positively engage more than they have up until now	31.0%
Should maintain the present level of engagement	53.5
Should lessen the present level of engagement	9.1
Should not engage	2.1
Don't know	4.4

Q9. Do you think that the efforts of the Self-Defense Force are helping to rebuild Iraq? Please choose only one of the following.

Helping	26.1%
If I had to choose, I would say they are helping	40.6
If I had to choose, I would say they are not helping	16.4
Not helping	7.8
As a rule I cannot say	3.4
Don't know	5.7

Q10. The Self-Defense Force has carried out medical relief and quarantine missions, as well as provided supplies by air and sea for areas around the world starting with the hurricane in the Republic of Honduras in 1999, the 2005 tsunami started by the maritime earthquake off of the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia, and also the earthquake in Pakistan. What do you think about the Self-Defense Force being deployed to carry out missions of international relief in these situations of international disaster?

Support them	61.7%
If I had to choose, I would support them	29.1
If I had to choose, I would oppose them	3.9
Oppose them	1.6
As a rule I cannot say	2.1
Don't know	1.6

Q11. The government is making efforts to revise the laws regarding the Self-Defense Force and maintenance of a ballistic missile defense system as one defensive role in dealing with the new threat posed by ballistic missiles. What do you think of this? Please choose only one of the following.

Support it	25.0%
If I had to choose, I would support it	31.6
If I had to choose, I would oppose it	16.2
Oppose it	8.9
As a rule I cannot say	5.7
Don't know	12.5

5. Sense of defense

Q12. have you ever seen or heard recruitment advertisements for the Self-Defense Force?

Have either seen or heard advertisements	85.1%
Have not either seen or heard advertisements	14.9

SQ. For those who answered, “have either seen or heard advertisements,” in Q12, through what source did you see or hear them? Please choose as many of the following as apply. (N=1,410)

Newspaper	20.5%
Magazine	8.2
Internet/Cellular phone site	2.0
Television	13.5
Radio	2.8
Video	0.4
Poster	69.0
Electronic sign	2.6
Standing sign	32.4
Hanging sign	3.2
Pamphlet/Leaflet	13.3
Prefectural, regional, and municipal public information papers and bulletin boards	25.4
Family/relatives/friends	7.9
Town and city officials	3.3
Other	2.9
Don't remember	0.6
Don't know	0.2

Q13. In the future, if someone close to you decides that they want to join the Self- Defense Force, will you support, or oppose that decision? Please choose only one of the following.

Support	24.9%
If I had to choose, I would support	26.9
I would leave it up to them, but if I had to choose, I would oppose	27.3
Oppose	9.6
Can't say	9.6
Don't know	1.7

SQa. For those who answered “support” or “if I had to choose I would support” in Q13, what was your reasoning? Please choose up to three from the following. (N=858)

Because protecting the peace and independence of Japan is a job of pride	61.4%
Because it is a job that contributes to international stability	51.4
Because it is an admirable job	35.1
Because through living a life with an organization like the Self- Defense Force, one will become a better person	28.4
Because the position of a public servant is stable	19.0
Because the salary and benefits are good	7.1
Because they can learn various skills that will be useful in the future	23.4
Because there aren't any other jobs that you are suited for	0.8
Because they had a connection in the Self-Defense Force	2.6
Because they would be lost without the Self-Defense Force	19.2
Other	2.4
Don't know	0.3

SQb. For those who answered “I would leave it up to them, but if I had to choose I would oppose” or “oppose” in Q13, what was your reasoning? Please choose up to three from the following. (N=612)

It is a dangerous job when war occurs	69.3%
Because you can't think that societal approval of the Self- Defense Force is high	24.8
Because it seems like a rigid job	22.4
Because you have to be transferred	7.5
Because the term of office system is a worry	7.8
Because retirement comes early	4.7
Because you dislike the lifestyle in an organization	1.3
Because salary and benefits are bad	1.3
Because you become isolated from the general public your ability to adapt is lacking	16.0
Because there are other jobs you are suited for	9.3
Because you don't understand the actual conditions of the Self-Defense Force	38.7
Because you don't recognize the need for the Self-Defense Force	5.9
Other	1.5
Don't know	1.8

Q14. If Japan were attacked by a foreign country what would you do? Please choose only one from the following.

Join the Self-Defense Force and fight	6.9%
Try to support the Self-Defense Force by some means	53.5
Engage in guerrilla-style resistance	1.6
Resist in a non-combative fashion	18.1
Would not resist	8.8
Other	1.4
Don't know	9.7

Q15. In order to deepen a feeling of protecting the country among the citizens of Japan do you think it is, or is not necessary to take this issue up in schools?

It is necessary to take this issue up in schools	65.7%
It is not necessary to take this issue up in schools	22.1
Don't know	12.3

6. Sense of the way Japan approaches their security

Q16. Next, Japan’s security system will be discussed. Currently, Japan is tied to the U.S. in the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty. Do you think that the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty does or does not benefit Japan’s peace and safety? Please choose only one from the following.

Benefits	34.8%
If I had to choose, I would say that it benefits	40.3
If I had to choose, I would say that it does not benefit	12.1
It does not benefit	4.9
Don't know	7.9

Q17. What method do you think should be employed in order to protect Japan’s safety? Please choose only one from the following.

Quit the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, increase military power, and protect Japan's peace with only Japanese power	8.6%
Continue with present arrangement of protecting peace with the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty and the Self-Defense Force	76.2
Quit the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, and shrink or abolish the Self-Defense Force	5.6
Other	1.3
Don't know	8.3

Q18. Currently in Okinawa, there are over seven exclusive bases and areas in use by the U.S. military. What do you think about lessening the burden on the people of Okinawa Prefecture and sharing it with all of the Japanese people through reorganizing the U.S. Forces Japan and moving a part of their facilities to the mainland? Please choose only one from the following.

Support	17.8%
If I had to choose, I would support	33.7
If I had to choose, I would oppose	22.6
Oppose	11.9
As a rule I cannot say	9.4
Don't know	4.6

Q19. Think of the current state of affairs in the world. Do you or do you not think that there is a danger that Japan will be dragged into a war, or have a war started with them?

There is a danger	45.0%
This danger is not out of the question	32.6
There is no danger	16.5
Don't know	5.9

SQa. For those who answered “there is a danger” or “this danger is not out of the question” to Q19, why did you think so? Please choose as many as apply from the following. (N=1,286)

Because there is international tension and antagonism	77.4%
Because the Self-Defense Force power is insufficient	19.1
Because the UN's abilities are insufficient	29.8
Because of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty	17.3
Other	1.3
Don't know	1.6

SQb. For those who answered “there is no danger” to Q19, why did you think so? Please answer as many as apply from the following.

Because the existence of the Self-Defense Force	10.6%
Because of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty	45.1
Because of the UN's efforts toward peace	38.8
Because international tensions and antagonism are decreasing	12.8
Because of the constitution's renouncement of war	38.5
Because the sense of national security among the citizens is high	8.4
Other	3.3
Don't know	2.9

Q20. From the perspective of Japan’s peace and safety, if there is anything that you have any interest in, please choose as many as apply from the following.

U.S.- Russia relations	11.7%
Conditions of the Middle East	27.4
U.S.-China relations	27.5
Conditions on the Korean Peninsula	63.7
Conditions in Southeast Asia	11.0
Arms control and disarmament in relation to missiles and Weapons of Mass Destruction	29.6
Conditions of U.S. military facilities in the area of Japan	15.0
Deployment of the Russian military into the Northern Territories	14.2
Modernization of the Chinese military and their activities on the ocean	36.3
Activities of international terrorist organizations	46.2
Other	0.5
Nothing in particular	6.9
Don't know	3.3

Lastly, in order to statistically analyze your responses, we will ask some personal questions.

F1. Gender

Male	47.9%
Female	52.1

F2. Age

20-24	3.0%
25-29	4.8
30-34	7.9
35-39	8.6
40-44	7.1
45-49	7.7
50-54	10.8
55-59	12.1
60-64	10.9
65-69	10.9
70-74	16.2

F3. Occupation

Independent Business Owners (Farming, forestry, fishing2.4%Commerce, Industry, Service8.2%; Self-employed1.4%)	12.1%
Family Business Operators (Farming, forestry, fishing0.7%;Commerce, Industry, Service3.7%; Self-employed0.4%)	4.8%
Employed ( Management2.6%;Specialized skill job1.3%; Office worker18.2%; Labor23.2%)	45.2%
Unemployed (Housekeeper21.6%; Student1.2; Other15.1%)	38.0%

F4. Is there a Self-Defense Force base or garrison near your town or city?

Yes	33.9%
No	62.9
Don't know	3.1

Respective nations’ ground, naval, and air power figures.

= 200,000 ; = 200,000; =500

Country	Ground force (in 10,000)	Sea force (in 10,000)	Air force
Japan	14.8	42.6	480
South Korea	56.0	14.8	600*
North Korea	100.0	10.3	580
China	160.0	93.9	2390*
Russia (Forces in far east Russia)	9.0	70.0	630*
United States (Forces in Japan and South Korea)	2.8	61.0	280*
France	13.7	38.6	570*
Germany	19.1	19.5	449*

* Items from Military Balance (2004-2005) and the June Almanac (2004-2005)
* Japan data from the 2005 Self-Defense White Paper. [Showing the actual force of the respective branches of the Self-Defense Force in 2004. The air force military operations craft numbers are the combined figures of the aircraft in the Self Defense Air Force (excluding transport aircraft), as well as the number of operational aircraft in the Self-Defense Force’s Navy (only the fixed figures).
* Included in the respective countries’ air power (operational aircraft numbers) are the aircraft in the *air force as well as the navies of those nations.

In order to preserve the peace and stability of international society, the Self Defense Force performed the following things in 2005 as part of its ‘International Peace Keeping Operations’.

Cooperative efforts aimed at rebuilding the Iraqi nation	Activities in response to international terrorism	International peacekeeping duties	International urgent relief activities	Support for the Proliferation Security Initiative
Medical activities; Water supply activities; Maintenancing and rehabilitating public buildings such as schools; Transporting humanitarian relief supplies.	In order to contribute to international efforts in preventing and eradicating international terrorism, provided water and supplies to naval ships of other countries in the Indian Ocean	As part of UN peace keeping operations: in the Golan Heights, Transporting everyday goods for the United Nations ; Disengagement Observation Force; Providing backup support for the maintenance of tools and roads	During Sumatra Indonesia's earthquake as well as the Indian Ocean tsunami, Transporting relief goods; Medical epidemic controlIn relation to Pakistan's earthquake and subsequent damage; Transporting relief workers as well as supplies	Participating in the Proliferation Security Initiative in order to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons of mass destruction; Participating in cooperative-prevention training with other participating countries