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YOMIURI SHIMBUN MARCH 2007 OPINION POLLS (P07-7)

Yomiuri Shimbun February 2007 Opinion Polls

Dates Conducted
March 17 and 18, 2007

Released
Publishing date not available

Methodology
Yomiuri conducted the poll in individual interviews on March 17 and 18 using a stratified two-stage random sample of 3,000 voters in 250 different locations. 1,741 people, or 58.0% of those selected, responded.

Key Issues

Prime Minister Abe and the Abe Cabinet approval ratings
Constitution Reform

Background
The popularity of Prime Minister Abe and his administration has been on a relatively steady decline since his inauguration; public approval of the cabinet slipped down to a new low of 40.3%, actually surpassed by his disapproval rating for the first time. One recurring issue addressed by Abe is the revision of the Japanese Constitution, including Article 9, which prevents Japanese participation in warfare outside of self-defense. He considers it has become outdated six decades after its creation.

Link to Original Source

Data received directly from Yomiuri Shimbun

Disclaimer

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

Survey:

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

Support	43.8% (45.3)
Do not support	43.9% (42.7)
Other	4.4% (3.0)
Do not know; No answer	7.9% (9.0)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in February 2007.

SQ1. [Those who answered “support” in Q1 only]

Please select from the list below up to two reasons why you support the Abe Cabinet:

Positively evaluate its political stance	27.4% (31.3)
Feel that it is stable	9.2% (10.2)
Can trust the Prime Minister	27.6% (25.3)
Have a fresh image of the Prime Minister	43.4% (39.8)
Can support its economic policies	4.3% (5.5)
Can support its foreign policy	15.1% (17.8)
Because of the coalition between the Liberal Democratic Party and the New Komeito Party	10.2% (10.4)
It is better than previous cabinets	10.4% (8.3)
Other; Do not know; No answer	3.9% (5.1)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in February 2007.

SQ2. [Those who answered “do not support” to Q1 only]
Please select from the list below up to two reasons why you do not support the Abe Cabinet:

Cannot positively evaluate its political stance	44.4% (38.6)
Do not feel that the cabinet is stable	32.0% (33.0)
Cannot trust the Prime Minister	27.3% (21.7)
The Prime Minister's political experience is lacking	16.6% (17.4)
Cannot support the administration's economic policies	19.3% (23.4)
Cannot support the administration's foreign policy	10.7% (11.0)
Because of the coalition between the Liberal Democratic Party and the New Komeito Party	8.6% (10.6)
The current cabinet is worse than the previous ones	10.7% (8.2)
Other; Do not know; No answer	3.9% (4.2)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in February 2007.

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

Economic conditions/job security	50.0% (52.0)
Financial reconstruction	20.7% (21.1)
Tax reform and the issue of consumption tax	30.0% (28.5)
Social security reform including pension and healthcare	61.0% (61.7)
Support for child care and counter-measures for declining birth rates	30.6% (34.8)
Education reform	24.1% (23.3)
Administrative reform such as cutting back government employees	17.8% (18.5)
Problems of income disparities	26.9% (27.3)
Issues surrounding Yasukuni Shrine	6.0% (3.6)
Diplomacy toward Asia, including China and South Korea	17.6% (13.6)
Issues over North Korea	33.3% (32.8)
National defense and security	12.7% (9.7)
Constitutional reform	7.2% (6.2)
Disaster prevention and crisis management	9.0% (7.2)
Measures for preventing crimes and securing peace and order	18.4% (18.1)
Environmental protection	18.4% (17.9)
Food safety	13.2% (14.5)
Other; Nothing special; Do not know; No answer	2.8% (2.4)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in February 2007.

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

Liberal Democratic Party	36.4% (34.2)
Democratic Party ofJapan	11.3% (12.0)
New Komeito Party	2.1% (3.9)
Japan Communist Party	1.8% (1.4)
Social Democratic Party ofJapan	0.7% (1.0)
The People's New Party	0.1% (0.3)
The New PartyNippon	0.1% (0.1)
Others	--- (---)
Do not support any party	46.0% (46.8)
Do not know; No answer	1.5% (0.5)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in February 2007

SQ1. [Those who answered “do not support any party” to Q3 only]
Please select from the list below any number of reasons why you do not support a party:

Does not follow-through on public commitments	14.8% (17.7)
No consideration of interests outside of those of the party	26.5% (22.2)
Repeating internal disputes	16.5% (18.7)
No resolution for the immediate problems	17.3% (19.1)
No trust for any party	26.6% (24.3)
Supporting a party will not change the politics anyway	47.8% (48.8)
No interest in politics	14.1% (17.0)
Others	1.5% (1.7)
Do not know, No answer	2.5% (3.0)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in June 2005

SQ2. [Those who answered “do not support any party” to Q3 only]
Please select from the list below one party you supported most recently for this past year if any:

Liberal Democratic Party	10.5%
Democratic Party ofJapan	11.5%
New Komeito Party	0.5%
Japan Communist Party	1.1%
Social Democratic Party ofJapan	1.4%
The People's New Party	---
The New PartyNippon	---
Other parties	---
Did not support any party	69.6%
Do not know; No answer	5.4%

Q4. What sort of impression do you have of the Abe administration? Please select from the list below the option closest to your opinion for the following five categories:

S1. Ability to perform

Soundly achieving results as proposed	19.5%
Ostentatious, lacking achievements	71.9%
Do not know; No answer	8.7%

S2. Leadership ability

Exhibits leadership qualities	16.1%
Does not exhibit leadership qualities	77.5%
Do not know; No answer	6.3%

S3. His own theory and beliefs

Puts his own theory and beliefs into action	47.7%
Does not put his own theory and beliefs into action	41.8%
Do not know; No answer	9.5%

S4. Posture on reform:

Proactive concerning reform	42.3%
Passive concerning reform	47.5%
Do not know; No answer	10.2%

S5. Feeling of affinity

Has affection for this administration	59.6%
Has no affection for this administration	34.9%
Do not know; No answer	5.5%

Q5. Do you have expectations concerning the Abe administration?

Yes, have expectations	27.6% (35.9)
Leaning towards 'Yes'	26.2% (29.1)
Leaning towards 'No'	20.0% (16.7)
No, does not have expectations	24.8% (16.2)
Does not know; No answer	1.4% (2.2)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in December 2006

Q6. In the half year since the inauguration of the Abe administration, its approval rating has been in a general decline, as displayed in public opinion polls. What would you consider to be the cause of this decline? Please select all applicable reasons from the list below:

The Prime Minister does not exhibit leadership over his cabinet or ruling party	43.7%
The Prime Minister does not put forth appropriate policy	21.0%
The Prime Minister does not sufficiently explain his policies to the citizenry	32.2%
The Prime Minister allowed those who opposed the privatization of Japan Post to rejoin the party	31.6%
The Prime Minister's reform initiatives are too passive	15.2%
No outstanding achievements	33.9%
Scandals and verbal slips occur in succession among cabinet ministers	60.1%
Other	1.7%
No real reason	3.5%
Does not know; No answer	1.5%

Q7. Due to the scandals and verbal slippage among cabinet ministers, voices calling for a cabinet reshuffling before the House of Councilors election have appeared within the LDP. Do you believe that Prime Minister Abe should or should not restructure the cabinet before the House of Councilors election?

Yes, I think so	30.3%
Leaning towards 'yes'	22.9%
Leaning towards 'no'	16.3%
No, I do not think so	21.9%
Does not know; No answer	8.6%

Q8. Almost half a year has passed since Prime Minister Abe’s inauguration. As a whole, do you or do you not value the achievements of Prime Minister Abe and his administration from the past half-year?

Very much value	4.5% (6.6)
More or less value	31.8% (38.1)
Does not really value	40.3% (33.9)
Does not value at all	19.8% (11.2)
Does not know; No answer	3.6% (10.1)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in December 2006

Q9. Please select from the list below any achievements or interactions of Prime Minister Abe and his cabinet that you can support:

Relations with America	7.9%
Relations with China	17.5%
Relations with Korea	8.6%
Efforts toward the North Koreaissue	27.9%
Raising the status of the Japan Defense Agency to Ministry of Defense	11.0%
Efforts toward education reform, such as the revision of the Fundamental Law of Education	18.2%
Efforts toward problems such as the income gap	3.2%
Efforts toward the problem of Constitution reform	4.9%
Dealing with the problem of reintegrating back into the party Diet members that rebelled on account of the postal system [privatization]	3.4%
Dealing with the scandals or verbal slippage of cabinet ministers	3.3%
Dealing with the problem of political funds, such as office expenses	3.1%
Other	0.1%
None really	38.5%
Does not know; No answer	3.5%

Q10. Please select from the same list any achievements or interactions of Prime Minister Abe and his cabinet that you cannot support:

Relations with America	9.4%
Relations with China	10.8%
Relations with Korea	7.9%
Efforts toward the North Koreaissue	22.7%
Raising the status of the Japan Defense Agency to Ministry of Defense	8.6%
Efforts toward education reform, such as the revision of the Fundamental Law of Education	12.4%
Efforts toward problems such as the income gap	22.8%
Efforts toward the problem of Constitution reform	9.1%
Dealing with the problem of reintegrating back into the party Diet members that rebelled on account of the postal system [privatization]	31.6%
Dealing with the scandals or verbal slippage of cabinet ministers	53.9%
Dealing with the problem of political funds, such as office expenses	37.9%
Other	0.5%
None really	13.3%
Does not know; No answer	3.7%

Q11. In regard to the management of the current administration, who do you think possesses the most influential voice, and bears the most authority? Please select one from the list below:

Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister	21.3%
Yasuhisa Shiozaki, Chief Cabinet Secretary	1.5%
Taro Aso, Minister of Foreign Affairs	7.1%
Hidenao Nakagawa, LDP Secretary-General	10.1%
Mikio Aoki, LDP Upper House caucus chief	4.4%
Junichiro Koizumi, former Prime Minister	17.1%
Yoshiro Mori, former Prime Minister	7.6%
Akihiro Ota, New Komeito Representative	0.8%
Someone else	0.5%
None, or does not know; no answer	29.6%

Q12. Do you have a strong impression that A) “The cabinet ministers are tackling matters of policy in a unified fashion,” or B) “The cabinet ministers are not unified”?

Strong impression of (A)	3.8%
Leaning towards (A)	9.6%
Leaning towards (B)	28.4%
Strong impression of (B)	54.2%
Does not know; No answer	4.0%

Q13. When you compare the general make-up or political technique of the current LDP to that of Koizumi’s administration, do you feel they have gotten better, worse, or stayed the same?

Has gotten better	2.0%
Leaning towards 'better'	6.2%
Has not changed	48.1%
Leaning towards 'worse'	22.7%
Has gotten worse	18.1%
Does not know; No answer	2.9%

Q14. From here onwards, about how much longer would you like the Abe administration to continue? Please select one answer from the list:

Continue for as long as possible	18.0% (36.1)
Two or three years	28.3% (34.8)
About a year	22.1% (11.2)
About six months	7.8% (2.6)
End as soon as possible	16.1% (5.1)
Other	0.2% (0.5%)
Does not know; No answer	7.6% (9.7)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in November 2006

Q15. The following questions concern the Japanese Constitution.
What aspects of the current Japanese Constitution interest you? All issues on the following list are related to the Constitution. Please choose as many answers as you like that attract special interest to you.

Issues concerning the Emperor and the Imperial household	20.4% (30.9)
Issues involving the renunciation of war and the Self-Defense Force	48.4% (49.3)
Equality and discrimination issues	15.9% (16.4)
Issues concerning freedom of speech, press, and images	11.7% (11.1)
Issues involving information disclosure	15.3% (16.4)
Protection of privacy issues	16.7% (25.3)
Issues involving the right to life, social welfare	22.3% (16.9)
Environmental issues	29.8% (24.0)
Issues surrounding the right to meetings, demonstration, and strike	1.8% (2.0)
Issues concerning the electoral system	11.8% (12.7)
Trial issues	14.9% (12.5)
Issues surrounding official visits to Yasukuni shrine	20.0% (27.8)
Issues concerning Constitutional reform	18.1% (16.2)
Issues surrounding the separation of powers (legislative, executive and judicial)	3.2% (4.1)
Local government autonomy issues	14.1% (12.0)
Issues surrounding the bicameral system of the National Diet	6.3% (8.4)
The process and circumstances surrounding enactment of the Constitution	5.6% (5.7)
Other, none really, Does not know; No answer	13.7% (9.1)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in March 2006

Q16. Do you think that the current Constitution should be amended or not?

Should be amended	46.2% (55.5)
Should not be amended	39.1% (32.2)
Does not know; No answer	14.7% (12.3)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in March 2006

SQ1. [Those who answered “should be amended” in Q16 only]
Why do you believe the Constitution should be amended? Please select from the list below all applicable options:

It is a constitution forced upon us byAmerica	30.2% (33.6)
In order to state our right to self-defense, and stipulate the existence of the Self-Defense Force	27.2% (32.5)
There is too much insistence on rights, while obligations are being neglected	21.1% (25.3)
Acting according to interpretation or application of the constitution leads to confusion	31.9% (32.9)
New issues have arisen in which the current constitution can not handle	47.6% (47.4)
Other	2.6% (1.5)
Does not know; No answer	1.5% (1.9)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in March 2006

SQ2. [Those who answered “should be amended” in Q16 only]
By when would you like the constitutional reform to be materialized? Please select one answer from the list below:

Within 3 years	50.7%
Within 5 years	24.8%
Within 10 years	6.7%
Other	1.2%
No particular time span	12.9%
Does not know; No answer	3.6%

SQ3. [Those who answered “should not be amended” in Q16 only]
Why do you believe the Constitution should not be amended? Please select from the list below all applicable options:

It is already established among the people	44.1% (36.3)
It is a constitution of peace lauded throughout the world	46.9% (51.5)
Fundamental human rights and democracy are assured	22.8% (26.7)
There should be an allowance of flexibility in interpretation and application, in accordance to the changing times	19.7% (20.5)
If you amend it, we will be in danger of opening up the road to becoming a major military country	32.1% (34.2)
Other	0.7% (1.0)
Does not know; No answer	2.2% (0.7)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in March 2006

Q17. To the present day Japan has acted in accordance with interpretation and use of the disputed Article 9 of the Constitution, by which war was abandoned and military power was discarded. Henceforth, what do you feel should be done about Article 9? Please select from the following list one option:

Act according to interpretation or application of the article, as we have up until now	35.8% (32.6)
Because there is a limit in taking action according to interpretation or application, the Article 9 should be amended	35.7% (39.3)
Strictly keep to Article 9 and do not act according to interpretation or application	20.0% (20.9)
Other	0.2% (0.2)
Does not know; No answer	8.3% (7.0)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in March 2006

Q18. Within Article 9’s provisions, there are clauses 1 and 2. For each one, please state whether or not you feel there is a need for revision.

S1. Concerning the first clause, which established the “renouncement of war,” do you feel there is a need to revise it?

Yes	14.0%
No	80.3%
Does not know; No answer	5.7%

S2. Concerning the second clause, which established the “absence of military power,” do you feel there is a need to revise it?

Yes	38.1%
No	54.1%
Does not know; No answer	7.8%

Q19. The “right to collective defense” is the privilege to counterattack an enemy that attacks a country neighboring Japan, when that attack could threaten the safety of Japan. In the opinion of the government, Japan possesses that privilege as well, but upon interpreting the Constitution, it was made so that they cannot use it. From the following list, please choose the option most resembling your opinion concerning the right to collective defense:

Revise the constitution, making the right to collective defense usable	20.8% (26.9)
Change our interpretation of the constitution, making the right to collective defense usable	20.6% (22.7)
Should not be able to use it, as it has been up until now	50.0% (43.5)
Other	0.1% (0.1)
Does not know; No answer	8.5% (6.7)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in March 2006

Q20. The Constitution divides the parliament into a bicameral system consisting of the House of Representatives and House of Councilors. There are various arguments concerning this bicameral system, but from the following list, please choose the option most resembling your opinion:

Make it into a unicameral system	21.8%
Maintain the bicameral system, and intensify the role and authority of the House of Representatives	7.9%
Maintain the bicameral system, and intensify the role and authority of the House of Councilors	18.7%
Leave it the way it is now	44.2%
Other	0.7%
Does not know; No answer	6.7%

Q21. In regards to the Japanese Constitution, are there any clauses you think should be revised or added? Please select from the list below all applicable options:

Status of the emperor and what it should be	15.0% (24.2)
Maintaining of an army for self-defense	23.2% (27.4)
Positive international cooperation	23.3% (21.9)
The right to know information about the administrative body	17.8% (18.3)
Protection of individual privacy	21.4% (27.6)
Respect of family	13.3% (11.5)
The right to live in a favorable environment	25.3% (27.6)
Intensifying the authority of the Prime Minister during a state of emergency	12.5% (12.4)
Roles of the House of Representatives and House of Councilors	11.8% (13.5)
Roles of the state and regions	21.9% (25.2)
Establishment of the Constitutional courts	4.2% (4.5)
Other	0.1% (0.1)
None really	23.8% (16.4)
Does not know; No answer	4.1% (2.9)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in March 2006

Q22. Sixty years will have passed since the enforcement of the Constitution this May. On the whole, do you or do you not value the role the current Constitution has fulfilled in Japanese society?

Very much value	37.9% (16.7)
More or less value	46.8% (59.5)
Does not really value	7.8% (15.1)
Does not value at all	2.2% (2.4)
Does not know; No answer	5.4% (6.3)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in March 1997

Q23. The following four opinions relate to the current Constitution, please voice your agreement or disagreement to each point in turn.

S1. Do you agree or disagree with the following opinion: “Peace continues in Japan, and brought with it economic development.”

I agree	86.5%
I disagree	10.1%
Does not know; No answer	3.4%

S2. Do you agree or disagree with the following opinion: “Japan thinks only of its own peace, and cannot adequately contribute to international peace collaboration efforts.”

I agree	37.5%
I disagree	56.8%
Does not know; No answer	5.7%

S3. Do you agree or disagree with the following opinion: “The concept of respecting individual rights and freedoms is well-established.”

I agree	66.3%
I disagree	27.6%
Does not know; No answer	6.1%

S4. Do you agree or disagree with the following opinion: “Public benefits have been neglected as a result of individual rights and freedoms being respected.”

I agree	48.0%
I disagree	41.4%
Does not know; No answer	10.7%

Q24. When you decide which political candidates or parties to vote for in the upcoming summer elections for the House of Councilors, will stances on the Constitution issue affect your decision?

Yes, they will	40.7% (39.8)
No, they won't	28.7% (28.4)
Cannot say	27.5% (29.2)
Does not know; No answer	3.2% (2.6)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in March 2004

Q25. Of the following list of classifications, which would apply to your current career. Please select one:

Independent businessman (Agriculture, Commerce and industry service sector, Self-employed profession)	14.7% (11.8)
Government official, local government employee	3.8% (4.0)
Full-time employee, such as in a corporation or office	27.2% (28.0)
Temporary company employee, temporary staff member, temporary worker, "fleeter" (part-time worker)	4.9% (6.0)
Housewife (including part-timers)	29.4% (30.9)
Student	2.1% (2.5)
Unemployed (currently job-hunting)	1.3% (1.0)
Unemployed (retired from active service, retired)	16.3% (15.4)
Other	--- (---)
Does not know; No answer	0.3% (0.3)

Figures in parentheses are results from polls conducted in February 2007

Fundamental Characteristics of Survey Sample:

Regional Distribution

Hokkaido, Tohoku	12.3%
Kanto	28.5%
Chubu	18.9%
Kinki	19.3%
Chugoku,Shikoku	9.6%
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)	17.9%
Mid-sized cities (cities with population over 100,000)	25.2%
Small cities (cities with population under 100,000)	23.0%
Towns and villages	12.0%

The scale is based on the standards set up as of March 12, 2007

Gender Distribution

Male	48.7%
Female	51.3%

Age Distribution (in years)

20-24	5.0%
25-29	6.1%
30-34	7.3%
35-39	8.5%
40-44	6.7%
45-49	9.2%
50-54	8.6%
55-59	12.1%
60-69	20.7%
Over 70 years old	15.8%

Educational Background

Middle School	13.7%
High School	47.4%
College/Junior College	38.1%
No answer	0.8%

Occupational Background

Agriculture/Forestry/Fishing	3.3%
Business/Industry/Service	9.5%
Self-employed	1.8%
Management/Professional	5.2%
Office worker/Skill industry	18.0%
Labor/Service	17.9%
Housewife	23.4%
Domestic woman other than a housewife	4.7%
Student	2.1%
Other/unemployed/No answer	14.1%

Household Annual Income (in Japanese yen)

Below 2 million	10.6%
In between 2 and 4 million	23.8%
In between 4 and 6 million	20.6%
In between 6 and 8 million	15.5%
In between 8 and 10 million	7.2%
Over 10 million	5.7%
No answer	16.7%