世論 What Japan Thinks

[part 1] [part 2] [part 3]

Between the 18th of January and the 4th of February the Cabinet Office Japan conducted a survey into what people thought about society.

Demographics

10,000 people were selected randomly from all Japanese citizens aged 20 or older for face-to-face interviews. 5,585 people were available and agreed to take part. 54.5% of the sample was female, 7.9% in their twenties, 14.8% in their thirties, 15.2% in their forties, 21.0% in their fifties, 20.8% in their sixties, 15.4% in their seventies, and 4.8% aged 80 or older. 74.6% were married, 11.8% were divorced or widowed, and 13.5% never married.

People do not seem very enamoured by the government in Q7! As in part 1, in Q11 and Q12 there seems to be significantly more pessimists than optimists. Interestingly, however, is that in Q8 “cohesiveness of the people”, perhaps another way of phrasing “homogeneous”, comes very low in the list of praiseworthy aspects of Japan, despite what Bummei Ibuki might think. Personally speaking, I have to agree with him on this if you look at the data from a statistical viewpoint.

Research results

Q7: Do you think the government takes into consideration its citizens’ opinions and thoughts? (Sample size=5,585)

Takes great consideration	1.3%
Takes some degree of consideration (to SQ)	19.6%
Does not really consider (to SQ)	54.5%
Does not consider at all (to SQ)	20.7%
Don’t know	3.9%

Q7SQ: How do you think the government could most take into consideration its citizens opinions and thoughts? (Sample size=5,296)

National politicians should listen to the voice of the people	24.9%
People should hold national politics dear to them	20.4%
People should be aware of who or what they are voting for	18.8%
Places for citizen participation should increase	15.4%
Government should listen to public opinion	13.3%
Mass media should pass on the voice of the people	4.5%
Other	0.6%
Don’t know	2.1%

Q8: Which of the following aspects of the country or the people are praiseworthy? (Sample size=5,585, multiple answer)

Long history and traditions	43.6%
Culture and arts	41.8%
Beautiful natural environment	36.5%
People’s hard working and ability	29.8%
Good public order	24.0%
Free and peaceful society	23.3%
High level of scientific achievements	21.2%
People’s kindness, sense of duty	19.8%
High level of education	12.3%
Economic prosperity	11.5%
Stable society	10.2%
Cohesiveness of the people	3.1%
Other	0.2%
None, don’t know	6.2%

Q9: Do you think your love for your country is stronger than that of other people? (Sample size=5,585)

Much stronger	13.5%
A little stronger	38.6%
About the same, don’t know	38.2%
A little weaker	8.6%
Much weaker, or no love at all	1.2%

Q10: Do you think it is necessary for feelings of love for your country to be fostered more in society? (Sample size=5,585)

Think so	80.0%
Don’t think so	10.2%
Don’t know	9.9%

Q11: In today’s Japan, which of the following fields do you think are heading in a positive direction? (Sample size=5,585, multiple answer)

Scientific achievements	19.7%
Communications, transportation	18.9%
Health, welfare	16.5%
Internationalisation	13.9%
Economy	12.1%
Disaster prevention	11.5%
Culture	9.2%
Food supply	8.2%
Economic strength	7.7%
Transport systems	7.3%
Foreign relations	6.7%
Natural environment	5.9%
Living environment	5.6%
Education	5.6%
Self-defence	5.6%
Resources, energy	5.5%
Public order	5.3%
Employment, labour situation	4.6%
Cost of living	4.4%
Land, homes	3.5%
Regional disparity	2.8%
National budget	1.6%
National character	2.1%
Social trends	0.8%
Other	0.1%
Nothing, don’t know	30.3%

Q12: In today’s Japan, which of the following fields do you think are heading in a negative direction? (Sample size=5,585, multiple answer)

Education	36.1%
Public order	35.6%
Employment, labour situation	33.5%
National budget	32.7%
Health, welfare	31.9%
Natural environment	30.5%
Social trends	28.0%
Regional disparity	26.5%
Foreign relations	22.4%
Economy	21.1%
Resources, energy	18.7%
Self-defence	17.6%
National character	14.8%
Cost of living	14.6%
Economic strength	13.3%
Living environment	13.3%
Food supply	13.0%
Transport systems	9.9%
Land, homes	5.9%
Internationalisation	4.5%
Disaster prevention	4.2%
Culture	3.6%
Scientific achievements	2.2%
Communications, transportation	1.9%
Other	0.4%
Nothing, don’t know	6.7%

[part 1] [part 2] [part 3]