世論 What Japan Thinks

[ part 1 | part 2 | part 3 ]

Continuing on from part two, the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan (that seems to be the official title anyway), conducted a wide-ranging survey regarding the people of Japan’s everyday life. This is rather a large survey, so it will be published in three parts on subsequent days. 6,924 people participated in the poll, conducted by face-to-face interviews in various areas throughout Japan. In this section, many Japanese say they want to live away from their children in their old age, and work is defined by salary.

Q13: In your opinion, normally with whom and how is the best way to live in old age?

Live with son (and wife if applicable)	15.1%
Live near son (and wife if applicable)	8.7%
Live with daughter (and husband if applicable)	5.7%
Live near daughter (and husband if applicable)	7.2%
Either son or daughter is best	10.6%
Live separate from children	38.0%
Other	1.8%
Don’t know	12.8%

Q14: What sort of meaning does 家庭 (katei, family, household) hold for you? (Multiple answer)

Where there is family harmony	61.5%
Where there is peace and relaxation	55.5%
Where family bonds are strengthened	46.2%
Where parents and children grow up together	35.8%
Where children live and grow up	25.8%
Where a couple’s love is nurtured	25.0%
Where children are brought up	18.2%
Where parents are looked after	11.6%
Other	0.3%
Don’t know	2.8%

Q15: What is the objective of your work? Choose the one answer closest to your way of thinking.

I work to get money	53.7%
I work to find a purpose in life	19.8%
I work to fulfil my duties as a member of society	11.5%
I work to demonstrate my own skills and brainpower	7.6%
Other	1.7%
Don’t know	5.7%

Q16: There are lots of kinds of jobs out there. What do you think is your sort of ideal job? Choose up to two from the following. (Multiple answer)

Job with stable income	52.2%
Job that is enjoyable for me	44.2%
Job suited to my specialised knowledge or brainpower	29.4%
Job with no worry about unemployment	16.4%
Job free from health worries	16.1%
Job for the benefit of society	11.8%
Job that can be well-paying	9.1%
Other	0.4%
Don’t know	3.4%

Q17: Regarding salary and free time, would you rather free time increased or salary increased? Choose which is closest to your way of thinking.

Increase salary	43.9%
Increase free time	31.2%
I cannot say one is better	22.1%
Other	0.4%
Don’t know	2.4%

Q18: In the future, in which areas do you think the government should put effort into? (Multiple answer)

Foreign affairs, international co-operation	25.0%
Self-defence, security	19.7%
Administrative reform	18.4%
Decentralisation	7.6%
Fiscal structure reforms	15.5%
Cost-of-living measures	31.4%
Economic measures	53.5%
Financial system reforms	8.4%
Information technology promotion	4.9%
Deregulation, new business development financial reforms	6.5%
Employment issues	37.0%

[ part 1 | part 2 | part 3 ]