世論 What Japan Thinks

Having looked in October at nuclear power in the Kinki region, today the topic is also nuclear power, but with a sample from all over the country, in a survey conducted by the Cabinet Office Japan.

Demographics

Between the 15th and 25th of October 2009 3,000 members of the public randomly selected from resident registries were approached for face-to-face interviews. 1,850 people, or 61.7%, agreed to take part in the survey. More detailed demographics were not given.

In Q5, the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) factor is rather high, but it’s not a surprising result. However, financial support (or bribes, I suppose) to communities hosting nuclear plants is something the government does, or more correctly did, as one of the many victims of the Democratic Party of Japan’s slash-and-burn attack on spending has been the abolition of the said government subsidy/bribe. The lack of this will surely affect local opinion in the areas that get selected for high-level nuclear waste disposal facilities.

Research results

Q1: Which of the following do you know about regarding nuclear power generation? (Sample size=1,850, multiple answer)

Nuclear power generation produces high level radioactive waste	53.7%
Production of electricity from nuclear does not generate any carbon dioxide thus contributing to the fight against global warming	50.0%
About three-tenths of Japan’s power requirements are supplied by nuclear	46.3%
As one can reuse spent nuclear fuel, one can plan for effective use of uranium resources	40.8%
Compared to oil, uranium may be obtained from a number of countries from all over the world, including ones with stable governemnts, so supplies are assured	26.1%
Nuclear powerstations are built on solid rock, etc, as a measure to withstand seismic activity	22.5%
Countries such as France produce over half their electricity from nuclear power	18.8%
None of the above	17.4%

Q2: What do you think about Japan’s nuclear power generation? (Sample size=1,850)

Should actively promote more	9.7%
Should prudently promote more	49.8%
Should maintain the current level	18.8%
Should abolish in the future	14.6%
Should rapidly decommission	1.6%
Don’t know	5.4%

Q3: How do you feel about the safety of Japan’s current nuclear power generation? (Sample size=1,850)

Relaxed (to SQ1)	6.1%
Somewhat relaxed (to SQ1)	35.7%
Somewhat worried (to SQ2)	43.4%
Worried (to SQ2)	10.5%
Don’t know	4.3%

Q3SQ1: Why do you feel relaxed about Japan’s current nuclear power generation? (Sample size=773, multiple answer)

Our nuclear power stations have a sufficient track record of operation	39.5%
Our nuclear power stations are safe	36.2%
I trust the government	33.1%
I trust the electricity companies	25.4%
Enough information is available regarding nuclear power	18.5%
Other	1.3%
No particular reason	2.6%
Don’t know	0.8%

Q3SQ2: Why do you feel worried about Japan’s current nuclear power generation? (Sample size=997, multiple answer)

There is a possibility of accidents even in Japan	75.2%
There’s lots of earthquakes in Japan	53.1%
Don’t know what safety systems the goverment has put in place	41.5%
There has been major incidents overseas	41.3%
The press has not reported on nuclear power station incidents and accidents	32.3%
The government does not do enough to publicise information and activities regarding nuclear power generation	32.1%
Electricity companies continue to release false information and doctored data, etc	29.9%
Electricity companies do not do enough to publicise information and activities regarding nuclear power generation	27.2%
Other	0.7%
No particular reason	0.0%
Don’t know	1.0%

They were then shown a card describing that the least problematic way of disposing of high level nuclear waste is to enclose it in glass and bury it 300 metres below the ground. Some countries have already decided where to site such facilities, but Japan has not yet made the decision.

Q4: Do you think that since it is our generation who has the responsibility to dispose of high level nuclear waste, we should decide speedily on the location of disposal facilities? (Sample size=1,850)

Yes	51.9%
Perhaps yes	30.3%
Perhaps no	6.3%
No	2.5%
Don’t know	9.0%

Q5: Would you agree with siting of high level nuclear waste disposal facilities in your town or a neighbouring town? (Sample size=1,850)

Yes	3.2%
Perhaps yes	12.9%
Perhaps no	34.3%
No	45.3%
Don’t know	4.3%