世論 What Japan Thinks

japan.internet.com recently published the results of a survey conducted by goo Research into the use of on-line fortune-telling sites and services.

Demographics

Between the 23rd and 25th of March 1,079 members of goo Research’s online monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 51.7% were male, 24.2% in their twenties, 22.5% in their thirties, 22.1% in their forties, 20.8% in their fifties, and 10.5% in their sixties.

The demographics are worth bearing in mind when reading the results; one has the impression that women are more interested and more believing of horoscopes and the like, so perhaps this survey suggests a majority of women may read their fortune online regularly. I would love to see the full data.

I did look at this topic last year, so it may be useful to check that data out too. Sadly, in a way, I believe astrology is all bunk. Sadly, as I do get a noticable amount of traffic searching for “japanese astrology”, so if I had no scruples I could monetize this traffic quite easily!

One thing I find interesting is that with the fuss over television programs making stuff up, there seems to be little or no collateral damage on these frauds, including the chief witch, Kazuko Hosoki, who still gets prime-time coverage, although I suppose people do enjoy her as much for her sharp tongue as for her divination. Still, at least she doesn’t seem quite as irresponsible as Sylvia Browne.

Research results

Q1: Do you visit on-line fortune telling sites (including portal sites, mobile phone sites)? (Sample size=1,079)

Yes	46.8%
No	53.2%

Q1SQ1: Do you care about the outcome of on-line fortune telling? (Sample size=505)

Care about it	9.5%
Care about it a little	55.4%
Don’t really care about it	28.1%
Don’t care about it	6.9%

Putting the two together we get:

Q1+SQ1: Do you care about the outcome of on-line fortune-telling? (Sample size=1,079)

Don’t visit fortune-telling sites	53.2%
Care about it	4.4%
Care about it a little	25.9%
Don’t really care about it	13.2%
Don’t care about it at all	3.2%

Q1SQ2: What kind of fortune telling site do you use? (Sample size=505, multiple answer)

	Votes	Percentage
Ordinary portal site’s fortune telling service	414	82.0%
Fortune telling portal site	132	26.1%
One particular type of fortune telling site	92	18.2%
Famous fortune teller’s site	54	10.7%
Other	6	1.2%