Asahi Shimbun August 2007 Opinion Polls

Dates Conducted

July 30 and 31, 2007

Released

August 2, 2007

Methodology

The poll was conducted by telephone from the evening of July 30 until the night of July 31, 2007, of voters from across Japan, whose telephone numbers were selected by a computer at random. Subjects were selected using a three-stage random sampling method (the Asahi RDD). The total number of those polled was 1094, with a 61% response rate. The numbers in ( ) are the results from a poll conducted July 21 and 22, 2007.

Key Issues

The performances of LDP and JDP in the Upper House Election
Abe's strategy after the election

Disclaimer

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

Survey:

Q1. Do you support the Abe cabinet?

Support	26%(30)
Do not support	60%(56)

Q2. Which political party do you currently support?

Liberal Democratic Party	21%(23)
Democratic Party of Japan	34%(22)
Komeito	5%(4)
Japan Communist Party	3%(3)
Social Democratic Party	2%(1)
The People's New Party	1%(0)
The New Party of Japan	0%(0)
Other	0%(1)
Do not support any party	30%(37)
No answer/do not know	4%(9)

Q3. In the House of Councilors election, the Democratic Party of Japan won 60 seats, its highest number ever, to become the largest party in the upper house for the first time. On the other hand, the Liberal Democratic Party lost heavily, falling to 37 seats. Do you think that this is a good result, or not?

Good	68
Not good	18

Q4. Do you think that the cause of the Liberal Democratic Party’s heavy losses lies with Prime Minister Abe, or not?

Prime Minister Abe	34
Not	59

Q5. What do you think is the biggest reason that the Liberal Democratic Party lost seats in this election? (Choose one.)

The pension issue	44
The income disparity issue	12
Scandals involving cabinet ministers	38

Q6. Next, what do you think is the biggest reason that the Democratic Party of Japan gained seats in this election? (Choose one.)

DPJ President Ozawa is appealing	4
Its policies are promising	9
Problems with the Liberal Democratic Party	81

Q7. Regarding the outcome of the recent House of Councilors election, Prime Minister Abe stated, “our basic stance is understood by most of the people,” expressing the view that it was not a rejection of what the Abe cabinet aims to accomplish. Is this point of view persuasive to you, or not?

Persuasive	26
Not persuasive	62

Q8. Prime Minister Abe has inherited the reformist policies of the Koizumi administration, placing importance on economic growth and competition. Do you support or oppose these reform measures?

Support	36
Oppose	43

Q9. After the House of Councilors election, Prime Minister Abe declared his intention to remain in office. Do you want Mr. Abe to continue as prime minister, or do you think that he should step down?

Continue as prime minister	40
Should step down	47

Q10. As a result of the House of Councilors election, the Democratic Party of Japan has become the largest party in the House of Councilors. What are your expectations of the Democratic Party of Japan? (Choose one.)

Make the ruling party change its policies	37
Bring about a change in administration	25
No expectations	33

Q11. Do you think that the House of Representatives should be dissolved and a general election held as quickly as possible, or do you think that there is no need to hurry?

Should be held quickly	39
No need to hurry	54

Q12. Which form of media did you consult most for this House of Councilors election? (Choose one.)

Newspapers	35
Television	58
Internet	4