Asahi Shimbun September 2010 Regular Public Opinion Poll
Dates Conducted
September 4 and 5, 2010
Date Released
September 6, 2010 (Morning edition of the Asahi Shimbun).
Methodology
The poll was conducted by telephone on September 4 and 5 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 3,554, with 2,149 responses and a 60% response rate. Decimals were rounded up. 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 August 7 and 8, 2010.
Key Issues
- Support for the Kan cabinet
- DPJ presidential election
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 | 49% (37) |
| Do not support | 30% (43) |
SQ1. Why? (Please choose one from the following. On the left are the 49% that answered “Support,” and on the right are the 30% that answered “Do not support.”)
| The prime minister isMr.Kan | 29% [14] | 4% [1] |
| The administration is centered around the Democratic Party of Japan | 27% [13] | 15% [5] |
| Policies | 20% [10] | 27% [8] |
| Ability to get things done | 13% [6] | 51% [16] |
Q2. Which political party do you currently support?
| Democratic Party ofJapan | 36% (31) |
| Liberal Democratic Party | 17% (19) |
| New Komeito | 3% (2) |
| JapanCommunist Party | 2% (2) |
| Social Democratic Party | 1% (1) |
| Your Party | 4% (7) |
| The People’s New Party | 0% (0) |
| SunriseParty ofJapan | 0% (0) |
| The New Party ofJapan | 0% (0) |
| New Renaissance Party | 0% (0) |
| The Happiness Realization Party | 0% (0) |
| Other party | 0% (0) |
| Do not support any party | 31% (31) |
| No answer/Do not know | 7% (7) |
Q3. If the general election were being held today, which party in the proportional-representation district would you vote for?
| Democratic Party ofJapan | 37% |
| Liberal Democratic Party | 22% |
| New Komeito | 4% |
| JapanCommunist Party | 3% |
| Social Democratic Party | 1% |
| Your Party | 10% |
| The People’s New Party | 0% |
| SunriseParty ofJapan | 0% |
| The New Party ofJapan | 0% |
| New Renaissance Party | 0% |
| The Happiness Realization Party | 0% |
| Other party | 0% |
| No answer/Do not know | 23% |
Q4. The election for DPJ president has begun and Mr. Naoto and Mr. Ozawa have announced their candidacy. The president of the DPJ will be the next prime minister. Who do you think is more suited to be prime minister? Mr. Kan or Mr. Ozawa?
| Mr.Kan | 65% |
| Mr. Ozawa | 17% |
Q5. Comparing Mr. Kan and Mr. Ozawa, in each of their points of view, who do you hold expectations for? Mr. Kan or Mr. Ozawa?
a) Economic or employment measures
| Mr.Kan | 44% |
| Mr. Ozawa | 34% |
b) Relocation of U.S. Futenma Air Station problem
| Mr.Kan | 37% |
| Mr. Ozawa | 30% |
c) Ability to execute
| Mr.Kan | 34% |
| Mr. Ozawa | 49% |
d) Ability to lead politics
| Mr.Kan | 50% |
| Mr. Ozawa | 29% |
e) Revising the reliance on the bureaucracy in politics
| Mr.Kan | 56% |
| Mr. Ozawa | 23% |
Q6. We will ask you about the manifesto the DPJ put forth during last summer’s House of Representatives election. Mr. Kan ’s position is that if “the implementation of the manifesto becomes difficult he will revise it,” whereas Mr. Ozawa’s position is that he will “implement what was promised.” Whose position do you support?
| Mr.Kan | 63% |
| Mr. Ozawa | 24% |
Q7. This year in June, Mr. Ozawa resigned as secretary-general of the DPJ due to his political fund scandal. Can you accept or not accept his candidacy for DPJ president?
| Accept | 18% |
| Do not accept | 75% |
Q8. How do you evaluate Mr. Kan ’s performance so far? (Please choose one.)
| Positively evaluate | 2% |
| Somewhat positively evaluate | 45% |
| Somewhat not positively evaluate | 42% |
| Not positively evaluate | 8% |
Q9. Are you for or against raising the consumption tax?
| For | 48% (41) |
| Against | 44% (47) |
Q10. In regards to the discussion of raising the consumption tax, Mr. Kan has stated that the consumption tax needs to be “reviewed as part of far-reaching discussions on the social security system,” indicating a proactive stance. Do you approve or not approve of Mr. Kan ’s stance?
| Approve | 65% |
| Do not approve | 22% |
Q11. On the other hand, Mr. Ozawa has stated that the government must “cut more wasteful spending before raising the consumption tax.” Do you approve or not approve of Mr. Ozawa’s stance?
| Approve | 55% |
| Do not approve | 34% |