Questions & answers (%)

Figures in parentheses denote the results of the survey conducted on Dec. 8–11, 2017 (middle column) and the survey conducted on Nov. 10–13, 2017 (right column).

Q: The abdication by Emperor Akihito is scheduled for April 30, 2019, and the ascension by Crown Prince Naruhito is scheduled for May 1 that year. The government is engaging in full-fledged deliberations regarding how the ceremonies should be conducted. One of the issues under consideration is whether the ceremonies should be held as state acts or as private events of the Imperial family. In either case, national budget funds will be used to cover the expenses. Select the response below that is closest to your thinking on the ceremonies.

Q: The Ministry of Defense has decided to introduce long-range cruise missiles capable of attacking targets hundreds of kilometers away. The government is of the view that if a missile launch by an enemy base is imminent, it is within the scope of Japan’s self-defense to attack that enemy missile base. The Ministry of Defense says, however, that attacking enemy bases is in no way the aim of introducing long-range cruise missiles. Attacking enemy bases is possible if long-range cruise missiles are used, though, and some say that introducing the missiles exceeds the “strictly defensive nature of Japan’s national defense” based on Article 9 of the Constitution. Do you approve of the introduction of long-range cruise missiles?  

Q: Which of the following do you think is the most appropriate person to serve as Japan’s next prime minister? Select only one from the responses below.

Q: How has your standard of living changed compared with this time last year?

Q: Do you think commodity prices have stabilized, will go up in the future, or will go down from now?

Q: How do you view the economy? Compared with last month, has it improved, remained the same, or worsened?

Q: Do you think your lifestyle will improve or worsen in the future?

Q: Name up to three countries that you like.

Q: Name up to three countries that you dislike.

Q: Which country or region do you think will become important for Japan as a bilateral relationship over the next five years? Select up to three from the below.

Polling methodology (January 2018): The survey was conducted over the four-day period of Jan. 12–15 through individual interviews. For the survey, a total of 2,000 people were sampled from among men and women, aged 18 and over, across the nation on a stratified two-stage random-sampling basis. Valid responses were received from 1,260 people for a valid response rate of 63.0%.

Polling methodology (December 2017): The survey was conducted over the four-day period of Dec. 8–11 through individual interviews. For the survey, a total of 2,000 people were sampled from among men and women, aged 18 and over, across the nation on a stratified two-stage random-sampling basis. Valid responses were received from 1,257 people for a valid response rate of 62.9%.

Polling methodology (November 2017): The survey was conducted over the four-day period of Nov. 10–13 through individual interviews. For the survey, a total of 2,000 people were sampled from among men and women, aged 18 and over, across the nation on a stratified two-stage random-sampling basis. Valid responses were received from 1,260 people for a valid response rate of 63.0%.