Asahi Shimbun December 2010 Regular Public Opinion Poll
Dates Conducted
December 11 and 12, 2010
Date Released
December 14, 2010 (Morning edition of the Asahi Shimbun)
Methodology
The poll was conducted by telephone on December 11 and 12 with 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 3,413, with 2,019 responses and a 59% response rate. Decimals were rounded up. Unless otherwise noted, the numbers in ( ) are the results from a poll conducted on November 13 and 14, 2010.
Key Issues
- Support for the Kan cabinet
- Dissolution of the House of Representatives
- Ozawa political funding scandal
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 or not support the Kan cabinet?
| Support | 21% (27) |
| Do not support | 60% (52) |
Q2. Which political party do you currently support?
| Democratic Party of Japan | 23% (25) |
| Liberal Democratic Party | 17% (19) |
| New Komeito | 3% (4) |
| Japan Communist Party | 1% (1) |
| Social Democratic Party | 1% (1) |
| Your Party | 3% (2) |
| The People’s New Party | 0% (0) |
| The Sunrise Party of Japan | 0% (0) |
| The New Party Nippon | 0% (0) |
| New Renaissance Party | 0% (0) |
| The Happiness Realization Party | 0% (0) |
| Other party | 1% (0) |
| Do not support any party | 45% (42) |
| No answer/Do not know | 6% (6) |
Q3. Do you think it is necessary or not necessary to quickly dissolve the lower house and hold a general election? The numbers in ( ) are the results of a poll conducted on July 12 and 13.
| It is necessary to do so quickly | 34% (31) |
| It is not necessary to do so quickly | 53% (60) |
Q4. If the general election were being held today, which party do you think you would vote for in the proportional representation section?
| Democratic Party of Japan | 23% (28) |
| Liberal Democratic Party | 27% (27) |
| New Komeito | 4% (4) |
| Japan Communist Party | 2% (2) |
| Social Democratic Party | 1% (1) |
| Your Party | 8% (5) |
| The People’s New Party | 0% (0) |
| The Sunrise Party of Japan | 0% (0) |
| The New Party Nippon | 0% (0) |
| New Renaissance Party | 0% (0) |
| The Happiness Realization Party | 0% (0) |
| Other party | 1% (1) |
| No answer/Do not know | 34% (32) |
Q5. How do you evaluate Prime Minister Kan’s performance so far? (Please choose one)
| Greatly evaluate | 1% (1) |
| Somewhat positively evaluate | 25% (28) |
| Somewhat not positively evaluate | 51% (51) |
| Do not evaluate at all | 22% (18) |
Q6. Going forward, what is your level of expectations for Prime Minister Kan.? (Please choose one)
| High expectations | 6% (8) |
| Some expectations | 28% (33) |
| Not many expectations | 43% (39) |
| No expectations | 22% (19) |
Q7. How much longer would you like Prime Minister Kan to remain prime minister? (Please choose one)
| I want him to be prime minister for a long time | 8% |
| I want him to be prime minister for the time being | 49% |
| I want him to resign immediately | 39% |
Q8. Do you think the current LDP is a party that can or cannot be trusted to lead the government?
| I think the LDP can be trusted to lead the government | 26% |
| I do not think the LDP can be trusted to lead the government | 57% |
Q9. Do you think the change of government has made politics better, worse, or unchanged?
| Better | 8% |
| Worse | 22% |
| Unchanged | 66% |
Q10. The House of Councillors passed a resolution censoring Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku. Do you think it is necessary or unnecessary for Chief Cabinet Secretary Sengoku to resign?
| He should resign | 39% |
| It is not necessary for him to resign | 46% |
Q11. The DPJ’s Ichiro Ozawa is currently involved in a political funding scandal and a mandatory indictment has been issued. Do you think Mr. Ozawa should explain his situation in the Diet or is it sufficient if he explains it in court?
| He should explain it in the Diet. | 68% (65) |
| It is sufficient if he explains it in court. | 24% (27) |
Q12. Has the DPJ’s handling of Mr. Ozawa’s political funding scandal been appropriate or not appropriate?
| Appropriate | 8% |
| Not appropriate | 83% |