Demographics

Between the 10th and 12th of February 2014 1,078 members of the goo Research online monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 58.5% of the sample were male, 0.5% in their teens, 11.6% in their twenties, 22.4% in their thirties, 32.6% in their forties, and 33.0% aged fifty or older.

With sales tax going up from 5% to 8% in April, although currently all train tickets are rounded to the nearest 10 yen, some transport operators are planning on increasing fares by exactly 3% (actually by 2.857%, but you know what I mean!) then rounded to the nearest yen, but only for electronic cash users. As most of the ticket vending machines cannot handle one and five yen coins, for cash users the tax increase will be rounded up to the nearest ten yen.

Research results

Q1: Do you use electronic cash? (Sample size=1,078)

Yes	66.6%
Used to, but not now (to SQ1)	7.9%
No, never (to SQ1)	25.5%

Q1SQ1: Certain stretches of railway lines will become cheaper when using electronic cash. Do you think you will start using electronic cash because of this? (Sample size=360)

Yes	45.8%
No (to SQ2)	54.2%

Q1SQ2: Why will you not start using electronic cash? (Sample size=195)

Don’t use trains	53.8%
Don’t want to use electronic cash	29.2%
My line will not have one yen pricing	8.7%
I only use a season ticket	4.1%
Cash is cheaper	2.6%
Other	1.5%

If you read the foreign press on the amendment plans, I would forgive you for thinking the new draft constitution is:

1. Nuke China and North Korea
2. Err
3. That’s it

However, the reality is of course quite different, and the will of the people quite different from the will of the politicians, as this survey demonstrates.

Demographics

Between the 19th and 21st of April 2013 2,685 people were called by computer-selected random digit dialling (RDD); from that 1,615 people (60%) aged 18 or older from all over the country replied to the survey. No further demographic breakdown was given. Note that this RDD methodology calls mainly fixed-line phones during weekdays, so there is going to be a bias in the sample. Also note that “No answer” was an acceptable reply to some questions, so the percentages below sometimes don’t add up to 100% as the “No answer” figure is not noted.

The need for constitutional amendment

The first question was about the need for constitutional amendments. 42% thought it was necessary to do so, 16% that it was unnecessary, and 39% couldn’t say one way or the other. However, when NHK previously asked the question six years ago, the numbers were 41%, 24% and 30%, so it would appear that all the recent talk about external threats like China in the Senkaku islands and North Korea have not convinced a significant number of people of the necessity of change.

When asked why they thought the change was necessary, 75% said that times have changed and problems that cannot be dealt with have occured, up just two percentage points in six years. Next, 15% said that changes are needed so that Japan can play its role in international society, down from 18% six years ago. For those who thought the changes were unnecessary, the top reason given by 53% was that they want to protect Article Nine, the Renunciation of War Article, down nine percentage points, then 36% saying that there are some problems with the current constitution, but not enough to merit amending it, up ten percentage points.

Article Nine, the Renunciation of War Article

Looking specifically at Article Nine, just 33% thought it was necessary to amend it, 30% thought it was unnecessary, and 32% couldn’t say either way. Six years ago, the numbers for and against were 28% and 41% respectively.

When asked why they were in favour of amending it, 47% said that it should be clearly written in the constitution that Japan can have a defence force, and 32% that Japan should be able to participate in military operations of the United Nations and others. 66% of those against amending said that in the Peace Constitution, Article 9 is the most important article, and 16% said that even without amendment, we can change how the Article is interpreted.

Article 96, the Amendment Article

This article spells out how the constitution may be amended, namely that a two-thirds majority of all members (not just those present for the vote) of both Houses, and then a national referendum where a simple majority of the votes cast will be sufficient to ratify the amendment. The proposed amendment to the Amendment Article is that both houses need just a simple majority of all members of each House.

First of all, people were asked if they knew about the proposed amendment to Article 96; 17% said they knew it well, 36% knew something about it, 30% didn’t really know much, and 15% knew nothing at all. Regarding the specific amendment, reducing from a two-thirds to a simple majority, 26% said they agreed, 24% disagreed, and 47% couldn’t say.

Finally, there are a number of new rights, etc that it is being argued may require either new articles or amendments to existing ones. People were asked for their opinion on the following:

Demographics

Between the 5th and 15th of July 2012 3,000 randomly-selected Japanese citizens were selected from resident rolls and approached for face-to-face interviews. 1,956 people agreed to take part, but a further demographic breakdown was not provided.

I’m not really sure why the figures for fear of foreigners have changes so dramatically for the better in the last six years, and I’m not sure how I would go about finding out the reason behind it. However, it does also seem clear that the new bogeyman is Reefer Madness, especially as round about the time of the survey there was no end of stories about a current social problem of legal highs, dubious cannabinoid derivatives sold as incence in a multitude of shops in Japan’s big cities.

Research results

Q1: Do you think Japan currently has good public order and is a safe and secure country to live in? (Sample size=1,956)

Think so	14.7%
Somewhat think so	45.0%
Don’t really think so	25.4%
Don’t think so	14.0%
Don’t know	0.9%

Q2: Within the last 10 years do you think that public safety in Japan has improved or got worse? (Sample size=1,956)

Become better	2.5%
Become somewhat better	13.3%
Become somewhat worse (to SQ)	52.6%
Become worse (to SQ)	28.6%
Don’t know	3.1

Q2SQ: What do you think are the causes of worsening public order? (Sample size=1,587, mutliple answer)

Sense of local solidarity has weakened	54.9%
Economic outlook has worsened	47.4%
Various information that people can easily get their hands on has flooded in	44.7%
Child and youth education is insufficient	43.8%
Citizens’ respect for social norms has weakened	42.8%
Punishment for crimes is light	29.1%
Crime by foreigners in Japan has increased	28.2%
Few uniformed officers in police boxes (koban), on patrol, etc	17.6%
Police crackdowns have been insufficient	17.3%
Organised crime (yakusa, etc) has increased	13.5%
Other	2.1%
Don’t know	0.7%

Q3: At which locations do you worry that you or those close to you might fall victim to crime? (Sample size=1,956, multiple answer)

Shopping districts	53.7%
On the street	53.6%
Cyberspace	41.9%
Public parks	36.6%
Car, bicycle parks	27.0%
Railway stations	26.8%
In trains, aircraft or other transport	25.2%
Lifts	23.0%
At home	13.0%
Other	0.4%
Nowhere in particular	6.0%
Don’t know	0.7%

Q4: What sorts of crime do you worry that you or those close to you might fall victim to? (Sample size=1,956, multiple answer)

Housebreaking	51.1%
Pick-pockets, purse snatchers	49.4%
Violent assault	45.3%
Drunk-driving traffic accidents, hit-and-runs and other traffic dangers	45.1%
Fraudulent sales or money-forwarding schemes	43.4%
Internet crime	42.3%
Theft of or from motor vehicles	39.7%
Abduction of children, etc	31.3%
Groping or other sexual assault	31.3%
Murder, violent robbers	31.2%
Stalking	24.8%
Drug sales, drug abuse, drug-fuelled crime	21.9%
Bosozoku bike gang dangerous riding, noise pollution, etc	18.6%
Loan-sharking	16.1%
Other	0.4%
None in particular	4,3%
Don’t know	0.6%

Q5: To what kinds of individuals or organisations do you worry that you or those close to you might fall victim to? (Sample size=1,956, multiple answer)

Emotionally unstable or random slashers, etc	61.0%
Habitual criminals; thieves, etc	42.6%
Bosozoku or juvenile delinquent gangs	34.6%
Yakusa and other organised crime	33.3%
Drug dealers or users	27.7%
Foreign crime gangs and illegal immigrants	25.5%
International terrorist organisations or international terrorists	9.9%
Other	0.3%
None in particular	10.2%
Don’t know	2.0%

Q6: What sorts of crimes should the police focus their effort upon? (Sample size=1,956, multiple answer)

Drunk-driving traffic accidents, hit-and-runs and other dangerous driving	54.3%
Murders, violent robbery	50.1%
Violent assaults	47.3%
Abduction of children, etc	44.3%
Fraudulent sales or money-forwarding schemes	43.2%
Housebreaking	42.9%
Drug pushing, drug abuse	40.2%
Internet crime	35.1%
Pick-pockets, purse snatchers	34.5%
Theft of or from motor vehicles	31.3%
Groping or other sexual assaults	35.7%
Stalking	32.2%
Bosozoku bike gangs’ dangerous riding, noise pollution, etc	31.7%
Loan-sharking	22.9%
Other	1.0%
None in particular	2.8%
Don’t know	0.5%

Demographics

Between the 25th and 29th of June and the 16th and 18th of July, 1,032 members of the Cyber Casting and PR online monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. All those who took part were between 20 and 59 years of age, but no further breakdown by age or sex was given, nor why or how the survey was split over two periods.

I’ll note that Q2 is a badly worded question that leads the respondant to select some degree of worry.

As someone who sees nuclear as a necessary evil these days, and more importantly as someone who (in my own estimation) listens with an open mind to news from Fukushima, I accept that more people have died already from the stress of evacuation that will ever die from cancer caused by the radiation leaks, yet due to incompetence and arrogance from the government and scientic spokespeople, the message does not get through. The latest figure I have heard is that based on studies in Chernobyl, those who evacuated and didn’t return home have worse health prognoses when mental health-related issues are taken into consideration, compared to those that didn’t leave or evacuated but shortly returned.

Oh, and don’t get me started on how 0% nuclear means almost-certain failure to meet Kyoto Protocol targets.

Research results

Q1: Since the Fukushima nuclear accident, which of the following have you felt? (Sample size=1,032, multiple answer)

Worries about environmental pollution	71.5%
Worries about the effects of human	69.6%
Dissatisfaction about the financial burden caused by electricity price increases, etc	54.4%
Other	11.7%
Not felt any in particular	4.8%

Q2: Do you feel worried about electricity grid presently relying on a high degree of nuclear power generation? (Sample size=1,032)

Yes, worried	45.9%
Yes, somewhat worried	28.0%
Can’t say either way	19.6%
No, not really worried	3.8%
Not worried at all	2.7%

Q3: Regarding nuclear power, which of the following energy strategies for 2030 do you support? (Sample size=1,032)

0% share (all reactors decommissioned)	49.5%
15% share (11 percentage point reduction from 2010)	36.9%
20%-25% share (maintain the same level as 2010)	13.6%

Q4: Are you interested at self-generation of power (solar panels, home gas-powered electricity generation, etc)? (Sample size=1,032)

Yes, and using it	4.8%
Yes, but not using it	72.9%
No, but using it	0.6%
No, and not using it	21.7%

Q5: What kinds of self-generation of power would you want to use, are you using? (Sample size=1,032, multiple answer, multiple answer)

Solar	70.8%
Solar and gas	33.0%
Gas	16.5%
Other	2.0%
Don’t want to use any in particular	16.2%

Q6: If you were to be buying a new home, remodelling your current, what kind of electricity supply system would you want to use? (Sample size=1,032)

Both gas and electricity	38.0%
Perhaps both gas and electricity	22.3%
Can’t say either way	21.9%
Perhaps electricity only	9.8%
Electricity only	8.0%

Demographics

Between the 7th and 17th of June 2012, 3,000 Japanese citizens aged 20 or older were selected at random from residency records were approached for face to face interviews. 1,912 people chose to answer the questions, but more detailed demographics were not provided. Note that this is the first time that selection method in these Cabinet Office surveys have mentioned that it is citizens; up until now it has just said people over 20, but since foreigners have recently been added to the main registry system, and that registry is used as the source for the random sampling, I presume they have decided to add the extra qualification.

There’s a number of reasons why North Korean abductions induce eye-rolling. For my part, it’s a combination of it being raised to such a level as appearing to sticking a spoke in the wheel of the six country talks on the DPRK, that the Koreans have said themselves that they consider the matter finalised, and by the most likely reality that the remaining missing people are dead. There’s also victims of international divorces gone bad who bring up the dissonance between Japan’s response to child abductions and North Korean abductions.

Note that the blue flag that the Prime Minister and other politicians wear is their yellow ribbon for the abductees.

Research results

Q1: Do you know about the abduction of Japanese by North Korea issue? (Sample size=1,912)

Yes, know it in detail (to SQ)	96.1%
Yes, but not the details (to SQ)	3.6%
No, not heard about it	0.2%
Don’t know	0.1%

Q1SQ: From where have you come to know about the abduction of Japanese by North Korea issue? (Sample size=1,906, multiple answer)

Television	99.3%
Newspapers	83.3%
Books, magazines, other publications	32.1%
Radio	27.8%
Internet	18.7%
Pamphlets, leaflets, posters, etc	14.8%
Family, friends	14.1%
Symposiums, other public awareness events	6.4%
Lessons at school	3.4%
Other	0.2%

Q2: Would you like to participate in any awareness activities, etc? (Sample size=1,912)

Want to participate (to SQ1)	6.6%
Perhaps want to participate (to SQ1)	33.1%
Perhaps don’t want to participate (to SQ2)	36.8%
Don’t want to participate (to SQ2)	19.1%
Don’t know	4.4%

Q2SQ1: What kinds of material would you like to see covered by awareness activities, etc? (Sample size=758, multiple answer)

Systems and initiatives the country has regarding solving the abduction issue	79.2%
What the prime minister, other relevant ministers think about matters regarding the abduction issue	48.0%
International situation regarding North Korea	44.6%
Expert opinions on the issues, international trends regarding solving the abduction issue	42.7%
North Korea and the abduction issue	41.2%
Explanation of the background to the abductions	35.5%
Other	1.2%
Nothing in particular	0.5%
Don’t know	0.9%

Q2SQ2: Why do you not want to participate in awareness activities, etc? Choose the one answer closest to your way of thinking. (Sample size=1,069)

Cannot make the time to participate	48.6%
Don’t understand the meaning of participating in awareness activities	18.1%
Not interested in the details of awareness activities	12.1%
Not interested in the abduction issue	4.7%
Other	13.3%
Don’t know	3.3%

Q3: What kinds of awareness activities, etc would it be easy for you to participate in? (Sample size=1,912, multiple answer)

Lecture, symposium featuring experts, prominent figures in the abduction issue	38.4%
Theatre, movie, animation around the theme of the abduction issue	35.4%
Football match, other sports event to promote the abduction issue	22.3%
Panel discussion featuring many people with detailed knowledge of the abduction issue	20.9%
Mini concert, choir, musical performances the theme of the abduction issue	20.3%
Other	1.7%
Nothing in particular	15.0%
Don’t know	3.8%

Q4: In order to foster understanding of the abduction issue in the younger generation, in the future what activities do you think will be effective towards this goal? (Sample size=1,912, multiple answer)

Sufficient school education	64.2%
Sufficient internet, other youth-oriented media-based awareness activities	54.7%
Sufficient television, newspaper-based awareness activities	49.5%
Youth-oriented symposiums, other awareness activities	27.2%
Other	0.8%
No special youth-oriented activities are needed	2.7%
Don’t know	4.4%

Demographics

Between the 29th of February and the 12th of March 2012 1,200 people between the ages of 15 and 79 randomly selected from a geographically-sorted residents database were asked to complete a survey, the results of which were weighed by overall national demographics. 50.7% of the sample were female, 6.3% in their teens, 32.9% in their twenties or thirties, 33.8% in their forties or fifties, and 27.0% in their sixties or seventies.

To explain a few of the topics that you might be unfamiliar with, in Q6 currently, if a female member of the royal family or one of the two other aristocratic families marries a commoner, she becomes a commoner too. Given the lack of males in the current line of succession, the plan is that if one of the females marries, her husband will join the royal family. This is separate from the question of a female emperor – I think the current system allows it, but male heirs take priority.

Q8, direct elections for the prime minister, would need the constitution to be amended, and I thought a fundamental feature of any parliamentary system was that the prime minister is chosen by the elected members of the chamber. Are there countries where such elections are held?

Q9, One Osaka, is the most important grassroots political movement, nay revolution, in Japan today. The charismatic leader, Toru Hashimoto, an ex-lawyer and TV celeb, actually has a vision, and recent opinion polls in the Osaka area have indicated that his party (which still has no national policy documents, let alone candidates) could win around 80% of the seats. Ampontan is quite the fan, and has many articles on the man, each much more informative that all the professional English-language press put together.

Research results

Q1: Tokyo University and others are investigating starting the academic year in autumn instead of spring. Do you agree or disagree with this? (Sample size=1,200)

Agree	13.1%
Somewhat agree	22.1%
Somewhat disagree	8.9%
Disagree	4.8%
Don’t know	50.8%

Q2: Consumption tax may be raised from the current 5% to 8% in April 2014, then 10% in October 2015. Do you agree or disagree with this? (Sample size=1,200)

Agree	4.7%
Somewhat agree	17.2%
Somewhat disagree	27.8%
Disagree	43.2%
Don’t know	6.8%

Q3: The age where one can start to draw one’s pension may in the future be raised to between 68 and 70 years old. Do you agree or disagree with this? (Sample size=1,200)

Agree	2.2%
Somewhat agree	6.5%
Somewhat disagree	27.2%
Disagree	53.4%
Don’t know	10.3%

Q4: There may be a “My Number” scheme introduced, giving each citizen a numerical ID for use when paying taxes, obtaining medical services, etc. Do you agree or disagree with this? (Sample size=1,200)

Agree	11.0%
Somewhat agree	25.4%
Somewhat disagree	19.8%
Disagree	17.5%
Don’t know	26.0%

Q5: The age of majority may be lowered from the current 20 years old to 18 years old. Do you agree or disagree with this? (Sample size=1,200)

Agree	16.8%
Somewhat agree	27.7%
Somewhat disagree	17.8%
Disagree	23.5%
Don’t know	13.8%

Q6: A female royal bloodline may be established. Do you agree or disagree with this? (Sample size=1,200)

Agree	25.6%
Somewhat agree	30.1%
Somewhat disagree	5.3%
Disagree	3.4%
Don’t know	33.1%

Q7: Japan may participate in the TPP, Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would result in almost all import duties being eliminated by 2015. Do you agree or disagree with this? (Sample size=1,200)

Agree	8.1%
Somewhat agree	18.5%
Somewhat disagree	15.6%
Disagree	11.9%
Don’t know	45.3%

Q8: There are discussions about direct elections for the prime minister. Do you agree or disagree with this? (Sample size=1,200)

Agree	33.8%
Somewhat agree	33.7%
Somewhat disagree	5.6%
Disagree	3.9%
Don’t know	22.5%

Q9: One Osaka may move into national politics. Do you agree or disagree with this? (Sample size=1,200)

Agree	22.8%
Somewhat agree	25.3%
Somewhat disagree	10.1%
Disagree	6.3%
Don’t know	35.2%

There was also a detailed breakdown by age, sex, and area of residence. Some interesting figures were older people were more in favour of raising consumption tax, and almost twice as keen on lowering the age of majority than those teens who would be directly affected by any change. TPP also was more favoured by elders, with all these trends surprising to me.

The northern areas of Tohoku and Hokkaido, being largely agricultural, were not suprisingly more opposed to TPP, but conversely more in favour of female royal bloodlines. The Kinki area around Osaka was not surprisingly most in favour of One Osaka standing for national election, and true to Osaka’s image as the home of merchants, it was also most in favour of TPP.

Demographics

Between the 17th and 18th of January 2012 1,048 members of the goo Research online monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 61.6% of the sample were female, 12.3% in their teens, 15.6% in their twenties, 27.9% in their thirties, 25.8% in their forties, 9.5% in their fifties, and 8.9% in their sixties. Note that the score in the results refers to the relative number of votes for each option, not a percentage of the total sample.

“Wearing a cat on my head” is a wonderful metaphor that I’d never heard before – it reminds me of the book “The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat”, a book I read a long time ago but can heartily recommend. I’ve now looked up the phrase, and not suprisingly, I took the wrong meaning of the verb in the idiom 猫をかぶってしまう, neko wo kabutte shimau. There is an archaic meaning of “to be deceived”, so it would be the Japanese equivalent of “The cat hides his claws”, thus being hypocritical.

I’ll not give you my answers at they’d reveal more about me than I want you to know!

Ranking results

Q1: Why don’t your relationships last? (Sample size=402, male)

Rank		Score
1	Too clingy	100
2	Cool off soon after my ideals don’t match the reality	82.6
3	I press my values onto her	75.2
4	I don’t listen to her	71.1
5	I pay too much attention to trivial things	65.1
6	My character is such that I tend to get bored	64.4
7	I rate people by their negative points	62.4
8	Violent mood swings	61.1
9	No good at expressing thanks or positive feelings	55.0
10	I don’t keep in close touch	50.3
11=	I tend to rate partners based on a checklist	49.7
11=	Don’t have time to meet her	49.7
13	I’m too engrossed in my own hobbies	49.0
14	Even if I don’t like them I go out with them anyway	47.7
15	“I wear a cat on my head” – I end up playing the hypocrite	43.0
16	I don’t have any self-confidence	40.3
17	It’s more fun going out with my male friends	36.9
18	I get too devoted to her	36.2
19	I’m not interested in love	30.2
20	I’m not interested in anything but love	20.8

Q2: Why don’t your relationships last? (Sample size=646, female)

Rank		Score
1	Too clingy	100
2	Cool off soon after my ideals don’t match the reality	87.7
3	I press my values onto him	82.2
4	I pay too much attention to trivial things	76.7
5	I rate people by their negative points	68.4
6	My character is such that I tend to get bored	67.6
7	I don’t listen to him	65.2
8	“I wear a cat on my head” – I end up playing the hypocrite	62.8
9=	No good at expressing thanks or positive feelings	60.9
9=	Violent mood swings	60.9
11	Even if I don’t like them I go out with them anyway	60.5
12	I’m too engrossed in my own hobbies	56.1
13	I don’t keep in close touch	55.7
14	I get too devoted to him	53.0
15	I don’t have any self-confidence	52.2
16	Don’t have time to meet him	46.6
17	It’s more fun going out with my female friends	43.9
18	I’m not interested in anything but love	39.5
19	I’m not interested in love	37.9
20	I tend to rate partners based on a checklist	32.4

Demographics

Over the 25th and 26th of November 2011 1,074 members of the goo Research online monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 57.4% of the sample were female, 11.6% in their teens, 14.7% in their twenties, 26.9% in their thirties, 25.0% in their forties, 11.1% in their fifties, and 10.7% aged sixty or older. Note that the score in the results refers to the relative number of votes for each option, not a percentage of the total sample.

I’d put a stable administration (one thing that the DPJ in their current state most certainly cannot deliver) and correct use of tax revenues top of my list, in particular a stable administration that can actually enact massive cuts to the various quangos and jobs for the boys that suck away at the government finances.

Ranking result

Q: What expectations for the future Japan do you have? (Sample size=1,074)

Rank	Expectation	Score
1	A country where old folks can live off their pensions	100
2	A country that correctly uses tax revenue	96.2
3	A country with good public order	89.7
4	A country with good-mannered citizens	80.0
5	A country with cheap medical fees	78.6
6	A country where it is easy to have, bring up children	78.1
7	A country where politicians and bureaucrats do not lie	71.7
8	A country with a stress-free working environment	70.1
9	A country with a stable political administration	66.4
10=	A country with high-quality medical care	64.7
10=	A country with high-quality education	64.7
12	A country replete in public services	60.6
13	A country with perfect responses to natural disasters	59.1
14	A country with little disparity between rich and poor	58.4
15	A country with no discrimination between people	57.8
16	A country self-sufficient in food resources	57.7
17	A country where information is opened to the citizens	53.3
18	A country with a stable life infrastructure	52.8
19	A country that leads on environmental issues	51.6
20	A country of lively regions	51.1
21	A country that can stand up for itself on an equal footing to Western nations	48.5
22	A country that maintains cordial relations with its Asian neighbours	47.7
23	A country with many free public services	46.3
24	A country where public organizations and private industry correctly disclose information	43.0
25	A country with a high-quality network infrastructure	30.2

Demographics

Between the 29th of September and the 16th of October 2011, 3,000 people aged twenty or older were randomly selected from residency registers were approached for one-to-one interiews. Of the 3,000, 1,912 people, or 63.7% were resident at the adress and willing to answer the questions. 52.5% of the sample were female, 8.2% in their twenties, 14.7% in their thirties, 14.8% int heir forties, 16.6% in their fifties, 22.8% in their sixties, and 22.8% aged seventy or older. 44.4% were employed, 9.8% were self-employed, 2.9% worked in a family business, and 42.9% were one of full-time homekeepers, students, unemployed, or retired.

The second half looked at actual diplomatic strategy. I was suprised to see a vast majority favouring maintaining or increasing current UN PKO activities. In calmer areas they can contribute, but I’m not really sure how Japan’s Self Defence Forces would react if there is shooting involved, and with recent talk about dispatch to South Sudan, I feel that they’d just get in the way. I remember in Iraq how they needed another country’s army to form a buffer between them and any potential threats.

Research results

Q4: 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=1,912)

Should proactively offer (to SQ1)	27.4%
Current levels are fine	47.4%
Should decrease if possible (to SQ2)	17.8%
Should stop (to SQ2)	2.6%
Don’t know	4.9%

Q4SQ1: Why do you think Japan should proactively offer economic aid such as loans and technical assistance to developing countries? (Sample size=523, multiple answer)

Because we Japan should continue to cooperate with those countries that gave support after the Great Eastern Earthquake	60.8%
Economic cooperation is an important means for promoting Japanese diplomacy	50.3%
To help solve developing countries’ environmental problems, Japan’s techniques and expertise should be applied	48.6%
If developing nations have neither political safety nor economic development, Japan’s economy will not grow	43.2%
Aid for developing countries helps towards securing energy resources	42.1%
To contribute towards Japan’s economy by allowing Japanese companies to advance overseas, etc	41.7%
As a developed nation there is a humanitarian duty to support developing countries	41.3%
To contribute towards stability of developing countries, to further the aims of global peace	40.3%
As a large world economy, Japan’s international responsibility is to help developing nations suffering from accumulated debt	31.9%
If Japan only is not cooperating economically, she will be isolated internationally	25.0%
As China and other new developed nations are noticably advancing into developing nations, Japan needs to maintain its presence	20.5%
Other	0.0%
No particular reason	1.1%
Don’t know	0.2%

Q4SQ2: Why do you think Japan should decrease or stop giving economic aid such as loans and technical assistance to developing countries? (Sample size=390, multiple answer)

Japan’s domestic economy is in bad shape	75.9%
Japan’s finances are in bad shape	55.4%
Don’t feel Japan’s economic aid is valued by the developing countries	29.2%
Current economic aid is not sufficiently meeting the needs of the area, and not enough of a benefit comes from it in many cases	29.0%
It’s not clear what sort of economic aid is happening	25.4%
Economic cooperation as a means for promoting Japanese diplomacy is not producing sufficient results	24.6%
Use and management of current economic cooperation with regard to equipment provisioning and relationships, etc, is not effective in many cases	15.1%
Other	1.5%
No particular reason	1.3%
Don’t know	0.5%

Q5: 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 Iraq, and has been involved in monitoring elections in places like East Timor and Nepal. In order to contribute to the international community, in the future should Japan participate in PKO and other such activities? (Sample size=1,912)

Should proactively participate	32.5%
Should continue the current level of participation	51.1%
Should participate, but reduce level of participation	10.4%
Should not participate	1.0%
Other	0.3%
Don’t know	4.7%

Q6: There are currently discussions underway within the United Nations regarding expanding the UN Security Council to better represent some regions. What do you think about Japan becoming a permanent standing member of the UN Security Council? (Sample size=1,912)

Agree (to SQ1)	41.7%
Agree to some extent (to SQ1)	36.3%
Disagree to some extent (to SQ2)	4.4%
Disagree (to SQ2)	1.7%
Don’t know	15.8%

Q6SQ1: Why do you think Japan should become a standing member of the UN Security Council? (Sample size=1,493)

Japan is a major contributor to UN finances, so it is strange that she is not included in important decision-making	28.1%
Given Japan’s world status, Japan should proactively take part in the plans for building world peace	27.6%
As a peaceful non-nuclear state, Japan can usefully contribute towards world peace	22.2%
Japan’s opinion can be reflected in important decision-making by the UN	12.1%
As a representative for Asia, if Japan were a standing member of the UN Security Council it could redress the regional balance at the United Nations	8.9%
Other	0.1%
Don’t know	1.0%

Q6SQ2: Why do you think Japan should not become a standing member of the UN Security Council? (Sample size=117, multiple answer)

If Japan becomes a standing member, financial contributions towards the UN would increase	24.8%
If Japan becomes a standing member, she would have to proactively participate in UN military operations	22.2%
Even not being a standing member, Japan can sufficiently contribute internationally towards non-military areas such as economic, societal, and environmental issues	19.7%
If Japan becomes a standing member, the constitution would need to be amended	8.5%
The Security Council does not have the power to resolve world disputes	13.7%
Other	4.3%
Don’t know	6.8%

Q7: In order to develop economic relations with other nations, into which areas do you think emphasis should be placed? (Sample size=1,912, multiple answer)

Energy and mineral supply security	59.5%
Food supply security	42.2%
Support activities of Japanese companies overseas	41.2%
More assertive promotion of the Japan brand overseas	39.9%
Promotion of the removal of trade barriers (including FTA, EPA, BIT, WTO activities)	37.6%
Promote tourism to Japan	31.1%
Guarding of patent and other intellectual property rights	25.5%
Promote understanding of the Japanese economy view of other countries	20.8%
Promotion of direct investment into Japan	10.9%
Other	0.2%
Nowhere in particular	1.5%
Don’t know	5.3%

Q8: 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=1,912)

Individuals or their employer, etc should take responsibility	7.0%
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	33.8%
Although individuals or their employer, etc can take responsibility, government or embassies should proactively help and support	27.8%
Whatever the case may be, government or embassies should help and support	27.9%
Other	0.3%
Don’t know	3.1%

Q9: What roles do you think Japan should play in international society? (Sample size=1,912, multiple answer)

Including support personel, contribute toward the promotion of international peace, put effort into peaceful settlement of regional disputes, disarmament and non-proliferation	61.7%
Contribute towards the resolution of global issues such as climate problems	56.0%
Contribute towards world peace through disarmament, non-proliferation initiatives	41.0%
Contribute towards the development of a robust world economy	39.8%
Humanitarian aid for refugees, evacuees	38.0%
Collaboration towards the growth of developing nations	36.9%
Contribute towards the development of world science and technology	34.5%
Support international efforts to the spread of universal values such as freedom, democracy, fundamental human rights and the rule of law	33.3%
Contribute towards international cultural exchange through preservation of global heritage, etc	26.6%
Other	0.3%
Nothing in particular	1.0%
Don’t know	4.6%

Demographics

Between the 29th of September and the 16th of October 2011, 3,000 people aged twenty or older were randomly selected from residency registers were approached for one-to-one interiews. Of the 3,000, 1,912 people, or 63.7% were resident at the adress and willing to answer the questions. 52.5% of the sample were female, 8.2% in their twenties, 14.7% in their thirties, 14.8% int heir forties, 16.6% in their fifties, 22.8% in their sixties, and 22.8% aged seventy or older. 44.4% were employed, 9.8% were self-employed, 2.9% worked in a family business, and 42.9% were one of full-time homekeepers, students, unemployed, or retired.

This survey was reported on last week in the papers, but the English translations seemed to focus mostly on the relationship between the USA and Japan; the level of relationships with Japan’s Asian neighbours is a much more interesting statistic, however.

Research results

Q1A: Do you have friendly feelings towards the United States of America? (Sample size=1,912)

Feel friendly	41.4%
Feel a little friendly	40.5%
Don’t feel very friendly	9.1%
Don’t feel friendly at all	6.4%
Don’t know	2.6%

Q1B: Do you have friendly feelings towards Russia? (Sample size=1,912)

Feel friendly	1.7%
Feel a little friendly	11.7%
Don’t feel very friendly	43.7%
Don’t feel friendly at all	39.2%
Don’t know	3.7%

Q1C: Do you have friendly feelings towards China? (Sample size=1,912)

Feel friendly	5.5%
Feel a little friendly	20.8%
Don’t feel very friendly	34.8%
Don’t feel friendly at all	36.6%
Don’t know	2.3%

Q1D: Do you have friendly feelings towards South Korea? (Sample size=1,912)

Feel friendly	20.3%
Feel a little friendly	41.9%
Don’t feel very friendly	19.8%
Don’t feel friendly at all	15.5%
Don’t know	2.5%

Q1E: Do you have friendly feelings towards India? (Sample size=1,912)

Feel friendly	8.3%
Feel a little friendly	32.5%
Don’t feel very friendly	28.4%
Don’t feel friendly at all	22.0%
Don’t know	8.8%

Q1F: Do you have friendly feelings towards South-East Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, etc)? (Sample size=1,912)

Feel friendly	12.7%
Feel a little friendly	38.7%
Don’t feel very friendly	23.6%
Don’t feel friendly at all	17.4%
Don’t know	7.7%

Q1G: Do you have friendly feelings towards Australia, New Zealand, other Pacific islands? (Sample size=1,912)

Feel friendly	19.1%
Feel a little friendly	41.8%
Don’t feel very friendly	18.1%
Don’t feel friendly at all	13.6%
Don’t know	7.3%

Q1H: Do you have friendly feelings towards Europe? (Sample size=1,912)

Feel friendly	19.0%
Feel a little friendly	44.8%
Don’t feel very friendly	18.8%
Don’t feel friendly at all	12.4%
Don’t know	5.0%

Q1I: Do you have friendly feelings towards Central and South America and Caribbean islands? (Sample size=1,912)

Feel friendly	6.4%
Feel a little friendly	30.8%
Don’t feel very friendly	33.5%
Don’t feel friendly at all	20.5%
Don’t know	8.8%

Q1J: Do you have friendly feelings towards the Middle East? (Sample size=1,912)

Feel friendly	1.7%
Feel a little friendly	12.7%
Don’t feel very friendly	38.1%
Don’t feel friendly at all	37.6%
Don’t know	9.9%

Q1K: Do you have friendly feelings towards African nations? (Sample size=1,912)

Feel friendly	3.0%
Feel a little friendly	20.1%
Don’t feel very friendly	34.7%
Don’t feel friendly at all	33.4%
Don’t know	8.7%

Q2A: Do you think Japan’s current relationship with the United States of America is amicable? (Sample size=1,912)

Amicable	20.8%
A little amicable	52.6%
Not very amicable	19.5%
Not amicable at all	3.7%
Cannot say either way	1.6%
Don’t know	1.8%

Q2B: Do you think Japan’s current relationship with Russia is amicable? (Sample size=1,912)

Amicable	1.0%
A little amicable	16.0%
Not very amicable	48.8%
Not amicable at all	27.0%
Cannot say either way	2.5%
Don’t know	4.7%

Q2C: Do you think Japan’s current relationship with China is amicable? (Sample size=1,912)

Amicable	1.6%
A little amicable	17.2%
Not very amicable	45.3%
Not amicable at all	31.0%
Cannot say either way	2.0%
Don’t know	2.9%

Q2D: Do you think Japan’s current relationship with South Korea is amicable? (Sample size=1,912)

Amicable	10.0%
A little amicable	48.5%
Not very amicable	25.0%
Not amicable at all	11.0%
Cannot say either way	2.2%
Don’t know	3.2%

Q2E: Do you think Japan’s current relationship with India? (Sample size=1,912)

Amicable	7.5%
A little amicable	44.2%
Not very amicable	23.9%
Not amicable at all	7.9%
Cannot say either way	3.9%
Don’t know	12.5%

Q3: Which of the following matters regarding North Korea are you interested in? (Sample size=1,912, multiple answer)

Japanese kidnappings problem	84.7%
Nuclear problem	65.0%
Missile problem	52.0%
Asylum seekers problem	50.5%
Political regime	42.9%
North-South issues	25.5%
Negotiations to normalize diplomatic relations between Japan and North Korea	23.0%
Trade and other economic exchange, cultural exchange, sports exchange	12.9%
Other	0.9%
Nothing in particular	3.9%
Don’t know	0.8%