世論 What Japan Thinks

[part 1][part 2]

Here is another detailed yet interesting poll conducted on behalf of the Cabinet Office Japan on the subject of diplomacy, in particular the points of diplomacy that the Japanese goverment itself finds important, and that they hope the populace do to.

Demographics

Between the 4th and 14th of October 2007 3,000 adults from all over the country were randomly selected from the voter rolls to take part in this survey. 1,757 people, or 58.6%, were available and agreed to take part in face-to-face interviews. 52.4% were female, 9.3% in their twenties, 14.5% in their thirties, 18.3% in their forties, 22.3% in their fifties, 20.7% in their sixties, and 14.9% aged seventy or older. As an additional data point, 40.1% had never been abroad, 56.1% had been abroad for a short trip, and 3.9% had stayed in one country for more than three months.

The second half of this survey is also extremely interesting for me, and it has answers from which both supporters and detractors can extract ammunition. PKO operations see much higher levels of support than I would have suspected, which perhaps suggests why Osawa’s idea for troops on the ground in Afghanistan was not as surprising and contradictory as it first sounded.

Research results

Q5: Developed countries give economic aid such as loans and technical assistance to developing countries. Thinking about the various facets, what should Japan do regarding economic aid? (Sample size=1,757)

Should proactively offer (to SQ1)	24.8%
Current levels are fine	46.4%
Should decrease if possible (to SQ2)	21.2%
Should stop (to SQ2)	2.8%
Don’t know	4.8%

Q5SQ1: Why do you think Japan should proactively offer economic aid such as loans and technical assistance to developing countries? (Sample size=436, multiple answer)

To contribute towards stability of developing countries, to further the aims of global peace	64.7%
As a developed nation there is a humanitarian duty to support developing countries	60.6%
To help solve developing countries’ environmental problems, Japan’s techniques and expertise should be applied	53.0%
Economic cooperation is an important means for promoting Japanese diplomacy	31.7%
If developing nations have neither political safety nor economic development, Japan’s economy will not grow	30.5%
Aid for developing countries helps towards securing energy resources	28.9%
As the world’s second-biggest economy, Japan’s international responsibility is to help developing nations suffering from accumulated debt	27.1%
If Japan only is not cooperating economically, she will be isolated internationally	20.2%
Other	0.5%
No particular reason	0.2%
Don’t know	0.0%

Q5SQ2: Why do you think Japan should decrease or stop giving economic aid such as loans and technical assistance to developing countries? (Sample size=422, multiple answer)

Japan’s domestic economy is in bad shape	55.9%
It’s not clear what sort of economic aid is happening	45.5%
Japan’s finances are in bad shape	44.1%
Don’t feel Japan’s economic aid is valued by the developing countries	34.1%
Current economic aid is not sufficiently meeting the needs of the area, and not enough of a benefit comes from it in many cases	29.6%
Economic cooperation as a means for promoting Japanese diplomacy is not producing sufficient results	25.8%
Use and management of current economic cooperation with regard to equipment provisioning and relationships, etc, is not effective in many cases	16.6%
Other	1.9%
No particular reason	0.0%
Don’t know	1.4%

Q6: United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) are currently active in over 100 countries. Japan also has resources active in Cambodia, Golan Heights, East Timor, Nepal and other PKOs, and is also helping refugees in Rwanda, Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, and has been involved in monitoring elections in places like Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosova, East Timor. In order to contribute to the international community, in the future should Japan participate in PKO and other such activities? (Sample size=1,757)

Should proactively participate	26.9%
Should continue the current level of participation	49.1%
Should participate, but reduce level of participation	15.5%
Should not participate	3.3%
Other	0.6%
Don’t know	4.7%

Q7: There are currently discussions underway within the United Nations regarding expanding the UN Seurity Councilto better represent some regions. What do you think about Japan becoming a permanent standing member of the UN Security Council? (Sample size=1,757)

Agree (to SQ1)	43.0%
Agree to some extent (to SQ1)	37.2%
Disagree to some extent (to SQ2)	6.6%
Disagree (to SQ2)	2.6%
Don’t know	10.6%

Q7SQ1: Why do you think Japan should become a standing member of the UN Security Council? (Sample size=1,409)

Japan is a major contributor to UN finances, so it is strange that she is not included in important decision-making	31.3%
As a peaceful non-nuclear state, Japan can usefully contribute towards world peace	29.6%
As an economic power, Japan should proactively take part in the plans for building world peace	18.8%
Japan’s opinion can be relected in important decision-making by the UN	11.1%
If Japan were a standing member of the UN Security Council, it could more proactively contribute towards various UN activities	8.5%
Other	0.1%
Don’t know	0.6%

Q7SQ2: Why do you think Japan should not become a standing member of the UN Security Council? (Sample size=162, multiple answer)

If Japan becomes a standing member, financial contributions towards the UN would increase	27.8%
Even not being a standing member, Japan can sufficiently contribute internationally towards non-military areas such as economic, societal, and environmental issues	24.7%
If Japan becomes a standing member, the constitution would need to be amended	23.3%
If Japan becomes a standing member, she would have to proactively participate in UN military operations	21.0%
Don’t agree with the existence of the United Nations	9.9%
Other	2.5%
Don’t know	1.9%

Q8: In order to develop economic relations with other nations, into which areas do you think emphasis should be placed? (Sample size=1,757, multiple answer)

Energy supply security	66.5%
Food supply security	44.3%
Promotion of the removal of trade barriers (including FTA, EPA, WTO activities)	32.8%
Support activities of Japanese companies overseas	30.8%
Promote understanding of the Japanese economy view of other countries	27.3%
Guarding of patent and other intellectual property rights	19.0%
Promote tourism to Japan	15.2%
Promotion of direct investment into Japan	8.5%
Other	0.3%
Nowhere in particular	1.4%
Don’t know	4.0%

Q9: In order to develop cultural exchange with other nations, into which areas do you think emphasis should be placed? (Sample size=1,757, up to two answers)

Youth exchange	29.2%
Sport exchange	21.9%
Introduce modern Japan to the world	21.1%
Homestay exchange	17.0%
Introduce traditional Japanese culture to the world (ikebana, tea ceremony, kabuki, etc)	16.4%
Scholar, artist, etc exchange	14.1%
Knowledge exchange (seminars, symposiums, etc)	13.4%
Cooperating in preserving overseas cultural heritage	12.2%
Invite overseas culture to Japan	11.7%
City, prefectural-level exchange	11.6%
Spread the Japanese language	6.2%
Promote Japan research overseas	5.8%
No-strings-attached funding support towards purchase of equipment, facilities for cultural activities	4.3%
Other	0.0%
Nothing in particular	1.1%
Don’t know	2.7%

Q10: How do you think regarding protecting and supporting Japanese nationals who become involved in incidents overseas such as traffic accidents, crime, disease, terrorism, etc? (Sample size=1,757)

Individuals or their employer, etc should take responsibility	7.5%
Individuals or their employer, etc should take as much responsibility as possible, but for things they cannot do the government or embassies should help and support	35.5%
Although individuals or their employer, etc can take responsibility, government or embassies should proactively help and support	26.2%
Whatever the case may be, government or embassies should help and support	27.4%
Other	0.2%
Don’t know	3.1%

Q11: What roles do you think Japan should play in international society? (Sample size=1,757, up to two answers)

Contribute towards the resolution of global issues such as climate problems	58.0%
Including support personel, contribute toward the promotion of international peace, put effort into peaceful settlement of regional disputes, disarmament and non-proliferation	44.6%
Humanitarian aid for refugees, especially children and women	25.6%
Contribute towards the development of a robust world economy	17.8%
Support international efforts to the spread of universal values such as freedom, democracy, fundamental human rights and the rule of law	19.1%
Collaboration towards the growth of developing nations	11.9%
Contribute towards international cultural exchange through preservation of global heritage, etc	4.7%
Other	0.2%
Nothing in particular	0.7%
Don’t know	3.4%

[part 1][part 2]