世論 What Japan Thinks

This year sees the fourth year of Cool Biz, an initiative started by the Japanese government to persuade businesses and homes to set air conditioners to 28°C in the summer and to wear lighter clothes and no ties. To see how it has been progressing, Cabinet Office Japan looked at awareness of Cool Biz.

Demographics

Between the 28th of May and the 7th of June 2009 of the 3,000 people selected at random from all over Japan, 2,054 people (or 68.5%) completed a questionnaire conducted via face-to-face interviews.

Looking at the details on occupation, it’s interesting that the government still has only a “housewife” category, not a gender-neutral “homemaker” or a “/househusband”.

I most often feel the air-conditioner is too strong in trains, although so far this year it’s been a bit more gentle than usual. Although my employer makes a big fuss about supporting Cool Biz and selling Eco Ideas, my office this year too is 23°C or 24°C, cold on my skin in short sleeves.

Research results

Q1: How much do you know about Cool Biz? (Sample size=2,054)

Know the details of it	12.2%
Know the basics about it	61.3%
Don’t know about it, but heard the term	18.2%
Don’t know anything	8.3%

Q2: Do you approve of Cool Biz? (Sample size=2,054)

Definitely approve	32.6%
Approve to some extent	49.0%
Can’t say either way	11.9%
Disapprove to some extent	2.8%
Completely disapprove	0.8%
Don’t know	3.1%

Q3: Does your workplace implement Cool Biz? (Sample size=1,239, those employed outside the home)

Yes	57.0%
No	34.1%
Don’t know	9.0%

Q4: Do you implement Cool Biz at home? (Sample size=2,054)

Yes	63.0%
No	29.5%
Don’t know	7.5%

Q5: Outside of your home and workplace, last summer where did you feel that the air conditioning was too strong? (Sample size=2,054, multiple answer)

Supermarket	45.3%
Department store	25.7%
Restaurant, cafe, etc	21.7%
Cinema, theatre	18.0%
Convenience store	18.3%
Regular train	12.6%
Bank	12.4%
Bullet train, express train	10.8%
Hotel, inn	7.0%
Other	2.5%
Nowhere in particular	23.9%
Don’t know	1.7%

Q6: What steps other than Cool Biz do you take against global warming? (Sample size=2,054, multiple answer)

Set home air conditioners to higher cooling temperatures, lower heating temperatures	63.0%
Don’t leave taps running	58.2%
Use own shopping bag	56.6%
Unplug electrical items when not in use	36.5%
Drive economically (no sudden speed changes, etc)	34.5%
Buy eco, low energy goods	23.5%
Use own car less (use public transport, bicycle, etc)	21.1%
Other	1.5%
Nothing in particular	7.9%
Don’t know	0.8%

Q6: What steps other than Cool Biz would want to take against global warming? (Sample size=2,054, multiple answer)

Set home air conditioners to higher cooling temperatures, lower heating temperatures	40.6%
Use own shopping bag	40.1%
Don’t leave taps running	38.5%
Buy eco, low energy goods	36.3%
Unplug electrical items when not in use	33.1%
Drive economically (no sudden speed changes, etc)	27.4%
Use own car less (use public transport, bicycle, etc)	22.3%
Other	2.3%
Nothing in particular	14.2%
Don’t know	1.6%