Asahi Shimbun Regular Public Opinion Poll (1/15/2012)
Dates Conducted
January 13 and 14, 2012
Released
January 15, 2012 (Morning edition of the Asahi Shimbun).
Methodology
The poll was conducted by telephone on January 13 and 14 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 1,588, with 941 responses and a 59% response rate. Decimals were rounded up. Unless otherwise noted, the numbers in ( ) are the results from a poll conducted on December 10 and 11 , 2011.
Key Issues
- Support for the Noda cabinet
- Consumption Tax
Disclaimer
The Mansfield Foundation is responsible for the translation of this Asahi Shimbun poll, subject to the Mansfield Foundation Terms of Use
Q1.Do you support the Noda cabinet?
| Support | 29% (31) |
| Do not support | 47% (43) |
SQ1.Why? (Please choose one from the following. On the left are the 29% that answered “Support,” and on the right are the 47% that answered “Do not support.”)
| The prime minister is Mr. Noda | 22%(6) | 1% (0) |
| The administration is centered around the Democratic Party of Japan | 22%(6) | 18% (9) |
| Policy Aspect | 22%(7) | 38% (18) |
| Executive Aspect | 20%(6) | 38 % (18) |
Q2. Which political party do you currently support?
| Democratic Party of Japan | 19% (20) |
| Liberal Democratic Party | 18% (16) |
| New Komeito | 1% (2) |
| Japan Communist Party | 1% (2) |
| Kizuna Party | 0% (-) |
| Social Democratic Party | 0% (-) |
| Your Party | 3% (4) |
| The People’s New Party | 0% (0) |
| New Party Daichi – True Democratic Party of Japan | 1% (-) |
| The Sunrise Party of Japan | 0% (0) |
| The New Party Nippon | 0% (0) |
| New Renaissance Party | 0% (0) |
| Other party | 1% (1) |
| Do not support any party | 44% (50) |
| No answer/Do not know | 12% (5) |
Q3. How much do you expect from Noda PM’s working style? (Choose one)?
| Very much | 8% |
| Some | 35% |
| Not much | 42% |
| Not at all | 15% |
Q4. Question on the reformation of the Noda cabinet: Noda PM fired Defense Minister Ichikawa Yasuo and Consumer Affairs Minister Yamaoka Kenji that were censured by the Upper House. Do you think highly of Noda PM’s personnel replacement? Or not?
| I think highly of his decision | 51% |
| I do not think highly of his decision | 28% |
Q5. Noda PM decided to hire Okada Katsuya of the Democratic Party of Japan for the Deputy PM and assigned to oversee the tax and social security reform as well as the administrative reform. Do you think highly of Noda PM’s personnel replacement? Or not?
| I think highly of his decision | 50% |
| I do not think highly of his decision | 33% |
Q6. In order to finance social security, the government finalized the plan to raise consumption tax to 8% in Apr. 2014 and 10% in Oct. 2015. Do you agree with this plan, or do you disagree?
| Agree | 34% |
| Disagree | 57% |
Q7. On top of the consumption tax increase, Noda PM is considering curtailing the number of Diet members and labor expenditure for government employees/civil servants. Do you think Noda PM can enforce such a reduction, or do you think he cannot?
| I think he can | 19% |
| I do not think he can | 67% |
Q8. In case of increasing consumption tax, how much do you find it necessary to reflect economic circumstances? (Choose one of the following)
| Very much | 32% |
| To some degree | 48% |
| Not so much | 13% |
| Not at all | 4% |
Q9. Do you think Noda PM should dismiss the House of Representatives and carry out a general election before concluding the tax bill at the Diet? Or do you think there is no need to have a general election?
| He should carry out a general election | 49% |
| He doesn’t have to | 38% |