Asahi Shimbun November 2007 Opinion Poll
Dates Conducted
November 3 and 4, 2007
Date Released
November 5, 2007
Methodology
The poll was conducted by telephone on November 3 and 4, 2007, of voters from across Japan, whose telephone numbers were selected by a computer at random. Subjects were selected using a three-stage random sampling method (the Asahi RDD). The total number of those polled was 2088, with a 59% response rate. The numbers in [ ] are the percentages of those polled as compared to the entire population of those who answered. The numbers in ( ) are the results from a poll conducted on October 13 and 14, 2007.
Key Issues
- Support for the Fukuda administration
- Fukuda proposal for a LDP-DPJ coalition government
- Dissolution of the House of Representatives, new election
- Japanese Self-Defense Forces operations in the Indian Ocean
Disclaimer
The Mansfield Foundation is responsible for the translation of this Asahi Shimbun poll, subject to the Mansfield Foundation Terms of Use.
Survey
Q1. Do you support the Fukuda cabinet, or not?
| Support | 45%(47) |
| Do not support | 34%(30) |
SQ1. Why? (Please select one of the following.) (The results in the left column are those 45% who answered “support,” and the results in the right column are the 34% who answered “do not support.”)
| Mr. Fukuda is the Prime Minister | 24%[11] | 5%[2] |
| The cabinet is primarily composed of LDP members | 23%[11] | 41%[14] |
| Policies of the cabinet | 21%[10] | 39%[13] |
| Just because | 28%[12] | 11%[4] |
Q2. Which political party do you currently support?
| Liberal Democratic Party | 31%(32) |
| Democratic Party of Japan | 24%(24) |
| Komeito | 3%(3) |
| Japan Communist Party | 2%(3) |
| Social Democratic Party | 1%(1) |
| The People’s New Party | 0%(0) |
| The New Party of Japan | 0%(0) |
| Other | 1%(0) |
| Do not support any party | 32%(30) |
| No answer/do not know | 6%(7) |
Q3. During a meeting between the heads of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Japan, Prime Minister Fukuda proposed that preliminary discussions begin on the formation of an LDP-DPJ coalition government. The DPJ was not receptive to the idea. Do you evaluate Mr. Fukuda’s proposal of a coalition government favorably, or negatively?
| Favorably | 36% |
| Negatively | 48% |
Q4. Do you evaluate the DPJ’s refusal to consider the coalition proposal positively, or negatively?
| Favorably | 53% |
| Negatively | 29% |
Q5. Do you think that the House of Representatives should be dissolved and a general election held as soon as possible? Or do you think that there is no need to rush?
| As soon as possible | 35%(32) |
| No need to rush | 57%(60) |
Q6. Warships from several countries, including the United States, are deployed in the Indian Ocean, to combat terrorist groups in Afghanistan. The legislation that allows the Self Defense Forces to support coalition warships, known as the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Act, expired on November 1, bringing an end to Self Defense Forces operations in the Indian Ocean. Do you feel that it is necessary for Self Defense Forces to resume operations in the Indian Ocean, or not?
| Necessary | 43% |
| Not necessary | 41% |
Q7. The government has submitted a new bill to replace the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Act. This bill is currently being considered by the Diet. If passed, it would limit the scope of Self Defense Forces operations in the Indian Ocean to the provision of fuel and water. The legislation would establish a one-year limit, and remove the requirement that the scope of operations be approved by the Diet. Do you support this legislation, or oppose it?
| Support | 35% |
| Oppose | 43% |
Q8. Do you think that the suspension of Self Defense Forces operations in the Indian Ocean adversely affects Japan’s international standing, or not?
| Adversely affects | 50% |
| Does not adversely affect | 37% |