世論 What Japan Thinks

After the Second World War an undecided territorial issue between the USSR/Russia and Japan was the fate of the four most southern of the Northern Territories, as they are known in Japan, or the Kuril Isles to the Russians. This survey from the Cabinet Office Japan (so obviously there is an inherent bias towards the official government position) looked at what the Japanese think about the Northern Territories issue.

Demographics

3,000 members of the public aged 20 or over were randomly selected for face-to-face interviews between the 9th and 19th of October 2008. 1,826 people, or 60.9%, agreed to take part. Sex and age demographics were not given, but since Cabinet Office surveys are conducted face-to-face they tend to catch an older demographic.

As background on the issue, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a pamphlet describing the Japanese position, Gregory Clarke wrote an article on this for the Japan Times a few years ago, and Russia Today looked at the new Japanese curriculum that will start teaching that the isles are Japanese.

Research results

First, all respondents were shown a card describing the history of and the official position on the Northern Territories, and activities for raising awareness, such as educational events, pamphlets, and panel discussions. Also, every year the 7th of February is Northern Territories Day.

Finally, the card concluded by reminding people that activities were centred around mostly old folk such as former residents of the isles, so in the future there are expectations that the baton will be passed to the younger generation, who are expected to participate and continue these activities.

Q1: Do you know about the “Northern Territories dispute” between Japan and Russia? (Sample size=1,826)

Yes, know the details (to SQ)	39.2%
Yes, know a little about it (to SQ)	40.0%
Just heard about it (to SQ)	18.8%
Not heard of it	1.4%
Don’t know	0.5%

Q1SQ: From where did you learn about the Northern Territories dispute? (Sample size=1,790, multiple answer)

Television, radio	89.1%
Newspaper	67.0%
Schoolteacher	29.6%
Book, magazine, other publication	20.4%
Friends, family	12.2%
Publication, poster for educational event, etc	10.2%
Publicity, educational event	9.6%
Internet	4.9%
Other	1.5%
Don’t know	0.1%

Q2: Do you know that the government and the people are carrying out various initiatives regarding activities requesting the return of the Northern Territories? (Sample size=1,826)

Know details of the initiatives	20.4%
Know a little about the initiatives	26.0%
Just heard about the initiatives	41.1%
Not heard about the initiatives	11.0%
Don’t know	1.6%

Q3: Would you like to participate in activities requesting the return of the Northern Territories? (Sample size=1,826)

Want to proactively participate	2.0%
Want to participate if there is the opportunity	32.5%
Don’t really want to participate (to SQ)	36.6%
Don’t want to participate at all (to SQ)	22.8%
Can’t say either way	4.1%
Don’t know	2.0%

Q3SQ: Why don’t you want to participate? (Sample size=1,085, multiple answer)

Time, effort needed is too great	40.2%
Don’t know the details of the activities	36.5%
Don’t think there’s the need, any effect	18.8%
Not interested in the matter	16.5%
Given my health, etc, it would be difficult to participate	15.0%
Somebody else will do it	10.2%
Other	5.1%
No particular reason	1.8%
Don’t know	0.8%

Q4: In order to get the younger generation to participate in activities requesting the return of the Northern Territories, what sort of initiatives are important? (Sample size=1,826, multiple answer)

Ample school education to impart correct understanding and recognition of the Northern Territories dispute	55.8%
Ample television programs, newspaper columns on the Northern Territories dispute	53.7%
Ample younger generation-targeted internet-based publicity, education	43.5%
Publicity, educational events aimed at the younger generation	25.8%
Hold meetings where they can listen to talks by former residents of the isles	24.2%
Study tours to Nemuro city and other areas bordering on the Northern Territories	14.6%
Other	1.3%
Nothing in particular	2.5%
Don’t know	3.4%