Asahi Shimbun Regular Public Opinion Poll (11/15/2011)
Dates Conducted
November 12 and 13, 2011
Released
November 15, 2011 (Morning edition of the Asahi Shimbun).
Methodology
The poll was conducted by telephone on November 12 and 13 with voters from across Japan (except Fukushima), 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 3,179, with 1,857 responses and a 58% response rate. Decimals were rounded up.
The questions with ◆ marks are questions for everyone. The questions with ◇ are branching questions, and the numbers with them are ratio to the participants who answer the questions. The numbers in 〈 〉 are the ratio to the whole. Unless otherwise noted, the numbers in ( ) are the results from a poll conducted on October 15 and 16, 2011.
Key Issues
- Support for the Noda cabinet
- Japan- U.S. relations (TPP and U.S. army bases in Okinawa)
- Tax increases (for disaster relief and social welfare)
Q1. ◆ Do you support the Noda cabinet?
| Support |
40% (48) |
| Do not support |
33% (26) |
Q2. ◇ Why? Choose one. (The numbers on the left are the reasons from the supporting 48%, on the right from the not-supporting 26%)
| Because Mr. Noda is the Prime Minister | 24%〈10〉 | 1%〈0〉 |
| Because the administration is centered around the DPJ | 24%〈10〉 | 23%〈7〉 |
| Because of the polices | 25%〈10〉 | 35%〈12〉 |
| Because of the ability to get things done | 18%〈7〉 | 37%〈12〉 |
Q3. ◆ Which political party do you currently support?
| Democratic Party of Japan |
23% (25) |
| Liberal Democratic Party |
15% (19) |
| New Komeito |
3% (2) |
| Japan Communist Party |
2% (1) |
| Social Democratic Party |
1% (1) |
| Your Party |
2% (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) |
| Other party |
1% (0) |
| Do not support any party |
45% (45) |
| No answer/Do not know |
8% (5) |
Q4. ◆If a general election were to be held, which party would you vote for in the proportional representation vote? ?
| Democratic Party of Japan |
26% (31) |
| Liberal Democratic Party |
25% (23) |
| New Komeito |
3% (3) |
| Japan Communist Party |
4% (4) |
| Social Democratic Party |
1% (2) |
| Your Party |
6% (4) |
| 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) |
| Other party |
1% (3) |
| No answer/Do not know |
34% (30) |
Q5. ◆ How much of an expectation do you have of Prime Minister Noda? (Select one)
| Very high expectations | 12%〈14〉 |
| Relatively high expectations | 47%〈48〉 |
| Relatively low expectations | 30%〈28〉 |
| Very low expectations | 10%〈8〉 |
Q6. ◆ Asian nations, led by the United States, are negotiating to form a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). How much interest do you have towards Japan’s participation in the TPP? (Select one)
| Very interested | 33% |
| Relatively interested | 46% |
| Not very interested | 14% |
| Not interested at all | 5% |
Q7. ◆ Prime Minister Noda has stated that he would start negotiations with participating states to prepare for participation in the TPP. How do you evaluate this action?
| Highly |
51% |
| Not at all |
34% |
Q8. ◆ Do you agree with Japan’s participation in the TPP?
| Agree |
46% |
| Disagree |
28% |
Q9. ◆ Do you think the Noda cabinet has disclosed enough information to the public concerning the TPP?
| Very high expectations | 1% |
| Relatively high expectations | 24% |
| Relatively low expectations | 56% |
| Very low expectations | 17% |
Q10. ◆ Japan is also currently considering establishing open economies with China and Korea. From an economic perspective, do you think Japan should prioritize the relationship with the United States or the relationship with China and Korea?
| The United States |
37% |
| China and Korea |
36% |
Q11. ◆ Do you agree with moving the Futenma airbase to Henoko?
| Agree |
29% |
| Disagree |
41% |
Q12. ◆ In light of the necessity to increase taxes for the disaster relief effort, the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party, and New Komeito have drawn a proposal to increase income tax and residence tax instead of the tobacco tax. How do you reguard this decision?
| Highly |
31% |
| Not at all |
56% |
Q13. ◆ Apart from disaster relief, the government is also planning to raise consumption tax to 10% by the mid 2010s to fund the welfare system. Do you agree with this move?
| Agree |
50% |
| Disagree |
42% |