世論 What Japan Thinks

For those of you who follow personal Japanese blogs, you’ve no doubt heard all about the rubbish separation and disposal systems in Japan, with one ritual being 粗大ゴミ, sodai gomi, the big rubbish day, with tales of raiding the piles of household furniture and electronics for hidden jewels. With most municipalities now charging for, and with many requiring a special pick-up appointment for disposal of said sodai gomi, iBridge conducted a survey reported on by japan.internet.com into online public services for big rubbish pick-up.

Demographics

On the 23rd of March 2009 300 women from the iBridge monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 19.0% were in their twenties, 51.7% in their thirties, 21.3% in their forties, 6.7% in their fifties, and 1.3% in their sixties.

Since today is the first day of the new year, many other residents of Japan will be in the same boat as me with a change in the disposal rules – our town now requires recyclable plastic and PET bottles separated, and other plastic thrown out as burnables rather than all together as before. Glass separation has increased from two to three categories, plus uncleanable glass like nail polish bottles becomes unburnable rubbish which now gets thrown out with the burnables, I think. Perhaps I should consult the rubbish police?
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This recent survey from RealWorld RealResearch and reported on by japan.internet.com into earphones and headphones is one I’d like to see the full results for, as I’d like to learn more about why people buy new ‘phones; how much is being forced due to breakage, and how much is due to dissatisfaction with the stock set.

Research results

Over the 18th and 19th of March 2009 1,100 members of the RealWorld RealResearch monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 58.1% of the sample were male, 8.1% in their teens, 19.2% in their twenties, 25.9% in their thirties, 21.1% in their forties, 15.8% in their fifties, and 9.9% aged sixty or older.

This is yet another survey showing how that digital players are on dominating the market, in both the form of the iPod and friends and as mobile phones with music features.

I don’t own any sort of portable player, so I cannot comment on the survey. However, I do promote earphones, and you can see pictured above Mickey Mouse earbuds, but if that’s not quite your thing, can I interest you in piggy-shaped ones?
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Valentine’s Day may have seen a number of weddings proposed, so it is quite timely too look at this recent survey conducted by iBridge Research Plus and reported on by japan.internet.com into engagement rings and other associated matters.

Demographics

On the 9th of February 2009 300 unmarried women from the iBridge monitor group completed a private online questionnaire. 50.7% of the sample were in their twenties and 49.3% in their thirties.

As I typed the introduction paragraph I started wondering if Valentine’s Day (or the counterpart White Day) is such a significant date for proposing marriage in Japan. Indeed, that would be a very interesting topic to have a search for, when and how people proposed. The only survey I can remember doing on that topic found that a depressingly-high 30.3% of people in their twenties find a shotgun prodding them down the aisle!

We chose our engagement and wedding rings together, with wifey having the final say, of course, as I’d probably have been too stingey if I’d been let loose on my own. We bought from Exelco, who are relatively reasonable as they sell direct, and sell diamonds and the rings separately, so there’s much more freedom to get something that fits your budget.
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Just a very quick translation for today, a look with japan.internet.com at a survey conducted by iBridge into public libraries and the internet.

Demographics

On the first of December 2008 300 members of the iBridge monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 56.7% of the sample were female, 13.0% in their twenties, 39.0% in their thirties, 33.0% in their forties, 9.0% in their fifties, and 6.0% in their sixties.

Note that internet services here are not public-access terminals in the library, but an external web site for the library.

I’ve never actually been to my local library, but I have checked out their web page for opening hours.
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No, not a free offer from me, but some research into 年賀状, nengajou, New Year Postcards conducted by iBridge Research Plus and reported on by japan.internet.com looking in particular at both free advertisement-plastered pre-franked postcards and the SNS mixi’s pay service for sending postcards to virtual friends whilst retaining privacy, a process which I wouldn’t be surprised if they have applied for a patent for.

Demographics

On the 25th of November 2008 300 people from the iBridge monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 52.7% of the sample were female, 14.3% in their twenties, 37.3% in their thirties, 31.7% in their forties, 10.3% in their fifties, and 6.3% in their sixties.

Looking at the web site giving the cards away (too late, the closing date is past!) it’s actually rather a good idea. The cards have the adverts inside the postcard and can be peeled open, otherwise you get an almost completely blank card for you do draw or print on as desired.

I’ve already ordered and received my Year of the Cow cards; two styles, one with Hello Kitty in a field of cows, the other is just a generic cute cartoon cow design. Both were designed and ordered over the internet, but we’ll be printing out the addresses at home.
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I’ve not used an instant messenger for years and years, but my excuse is being an anti-social git. Sadly, this recent survey from the new-to-me survey organisation iBridge and published by japan.internet.com into instant messengers (IM) didn’t report on why Japanese seem to be fleeing instant messaging.

Demographics

On the 3rd of October 2008 300 members of the iBridge monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 51.0% of the sample were male, 15.3% in their twenties, 40.7% in their thirties, 29.0% in their forties, 12.7% in their fifties, and 2.3% in their sixties.

By way of comparision, just over two years ago a similar survey on instant messaging in Japan found that nearly one in three were active users.
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