According to the Jiji Press public opinion poll on global warming, 92.8% of Japanese are concerned about global warming. This is roughly equivalent to the 94.1% found in the 2009 poll. When asked about global warming countermeasures passed by the cabinet in May this year, 22.9% said that the target of lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 26% compared with FY2013 levels by FY2030 was attainable, whereas 59.3% said they thought otherwise.
The survey was conducted through individual interviews over a four-day period (July 15–18). For the survey, a total of 2,000 men and women aged 20 and over were sampled from across the nation. The valid response rate was 64.8%. (Abridged)
Questions & answers (%)
The most recent past poll on global warming was conducted in August 2009, and the results were published in the September 2009 Jiji Press Public Opinion Poll Bulletin. The findings from the previous survey are included in parentheses for reference.
Q: “Global warming,” the rise in the earth’s average temperature, has become a world issue. Are you concerned about global warming? Select one response from below.
|
Concerned |
63.0 |
(64.9) |
|
Slightly concerned |
29.9 |
(29.1) |
|
Not very concerned |
5.1 |
(3.9) |
|
Not concerned |
2.0 |
(1.7) |
|
Don’t know |
0.1 |
(0.3) |
Q: In May this year, the cabinet passed a plan for global warming countermeasures which set a midterm target of lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 26% compared to FY2013 levels by FY2030. Do you know about this plan? Select one response from below.
|
I know what the [midterm] target is |
19.6 |
|
|
I have heard of the plan |
51.8 |
|
|
I do not know about the plan |
28.6 |
Q: To achieve the target, various sectors are being called on to make efforts to reduce their emissions. Households, for example, are being asked to reduce their emissions by 40%. Do you think the target is attainable?
|
Yes |
22.9 |
|
|
No |
59.3 |
|
|
Don’t know |
17.8 |
Q: Are you taking any measures to prevent global warming?
|
Yes |
75.8 |
(73.5) |
|
No |
23.1 |
(25.8) |
|
Don’t know |
1.0 |
(0.8) |
Q: (For those who said “yes” in response to the previous question) What concrete measures are you taking to prevent global warming? Select all that apply.
|
I unplug electric appliances when they are not in use |
52.1 |
(49.5) |
|
I am careful to turn off lights when they are not in use |
80.9 |
(80.9) |
|
I set my heating/cooling system at a high temperature in the summer and a low temperature in the winter |
62.3 |
(56.1) |
|
I use public transportation rather than a car when I go out |
17.2 |
(19.5) |
|
I use a hybrid or electric vehicle |
10.9 |
(3.8) |
|
I conserve water when I wash the dishes or bathe |
35.8 |
(36.5) |
|
I do not leave the television on when I am not watching it |
62.0 |
(63.0) |
|
I bring my own shopping bag and do not take the bag offered at the cash register |
57.3 |
(62.3) |
|
I reduce my trash and recycle |
56.8 |
(55.5) |
|
I have installed solar panels on my house |
9.3 |
(2.9) |
|
When I purchase electric appliances, I select energy-efficient ones, like LED lights |
40.0 |
(28.1) |
|
I built or refurbished my house so that it has good insulation |
12.1 |
(…) |
|
I participate in “cool biz” and “warm biz” |
32.6 |
(19.7) |
|
Other |
0.6 |
(1.6) |
|
Don’t know |
0.1 |
(0.1) |
Q: What concrete measures are you thinking of taking to prevent global warming? Select all that apply.
|
I unplug electric appliances when they are not in use |
47.1 |
(43.3) |
|
I am careful to turn off lights when they are not in use |
61.8 |
(60.7) |
|
I set my air conditioner at a high temperature in the summer and a low temperature in the winter |
48.9 |
(44.2) |
|
I use public transportation rather than a car when I go out |
17.4 |
(20.1) |
|
I use a hybrid or electric vehicle |
17.3 |
(18.5) |
|
I conserve water when I wash the dishes or bathe |
29.9 |
(29.0) |
|
I do not leave the television on when I am not watching it |
53.1 |
(50.7) |
|
I bring my own shopping bag and do not take the bag offered at the cash register |
45.6 |
(46.8) |
|
I reduce my trash and recycle |
52.5 |
(49.0) |
|
I have installed solar panels on my house |
11.5 |
(11.3) |
|
When I purchase electric appliances, I select energy-efficient ones, like LED lights |
39.0 |
(36.7) |
|
I built or refurbished my house so that it has good insulation |
12.3 |
(…) |
|
I participate in “cool biz” and “warm biz” |
26.2 |
(16.4) |
|
Other |
1.5 |
(1.3) |
|
Don’t know |
4.6 |
(5.5) |
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted through individual interviews over a four-day period (July 15–18). For the survey, a total of 2,000 men and women aged 20 and over were sampled from across the nation. Valid responses were received from 1,296 people for a valid response rate of 64.8%.
