世論 What Japan Thinks

goo Research, in conjuction with the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, published the results of a very timely and interesting poll on the topic of, as it is known in Japanese, Akachan Post, Baby Post, or a place to drop off babies anonymously. The first in Japan opened at the Jikei Hospital in Kumamoto just last month ago, and has already received one rather inappropriate delivery.

Demographics

The demographics for this survey are not terribly well-reported. All that is given is that between the 27th and 30th of April 2007, 1,092 members of the goo Research monitor group aged 20 or above successfully completed a private online questionnaire.

This survey is a little short, but I was surprised by nearly two-thirds supporting the baby drop-off services, and nearly half the sample wishing in fact to see more Akachan Posts. I was pleased to see that people consider education the best way of managing the problem of abandoned children.

Survey results

Q1: Do you agree with the establishment of “Akachan Post”? (Sample size=1,092)

Agree (to SQ1)	63%
Disagree (to SQ2)	37%

Q1SQ1: Should the number of Akachan Posts increase in future? (Sample size=akachan post supporters)

Should increase	74%
Should not increase	26%

Q1SQ2: Which of the following is closest to why you disagree with Akachan Post establishment? (Sample size=not akachan post supporters)

Will encourage baby abandonment	52%
Worry about the future of the thrown-away children	14%
Other measures such as supporting child-rearing should be taken instead	33%

Q2: What do you think is the most effective measure in order to decrease the number of thrown-away children? (Sample size=1,092)

Education for young soon-to-be parents	34%
Governmental measures to properly support child-rearing	31%
Establishment of birth and child-rearing consultation services	21%
Strengthening punishments for baby abandonment	10%
Establishment of Akachan Posts	5%