Main questions & answers (%)
Questionnaire is slightly abridged.
Q: What aspects of the current Constitution of Japan are you interested in? The following issues are all related to the Constitution. Which, if any, are you particularly interested in? Select as many as you like from the list below.
|
Emperor and Imperial household |
24 |
|
Japan’s war renunciation, Self-Defense Forces (SDF) |
60 |
|
Equality, discrimination |
23 |
|
Freedom of spoken, written, visual, and all other forms of expression |
21 |
|
Information disclosure |
19 |
|
Protection of privacy |
25 |
|
Right to a minimum standard of living, social welfare |
24 |
|
Environmental issues |
26 |
|
Right to assemble, demonstrate, and strike |
5 |
|
Electoral system |
16 |
|
Right of access to the courts |
11 |
|
Official homage at Yasukuni Shrine |
12 |
|
Constitutional amendment |
26 |
|
Separation of the three branches of government |
6 |
|
Local autonomy |
10 |
|
Diet’s bicameral system |
10 |
|
Process and background of establishing the Constitution |
7 |
|
Education |
34 |
|
Responding to states of emergency |
22 |
|
Other answers (O/A) |
1 |
|
Nothing in particular (NIP) |
8 |
|
No answer (N/A) |
1 |
Q: Do you think the current Constitution should be amended?
|
Yes |
50 |
|
No |
46 |
|
N/A |
4 |
Q: (Only for those who answered “yes” to the foregoing question) Why do you think the current Constitution should be amended? Select as many reasons as you like from among those listed below.
|
Because the Constitution was imposed on Japan by the United States |
21 |
|
Because Japan’s right to self-defense and the existence of the SDF should be expressly stipulated |
40 |
|
Because there are too many cases where citizen rights are claimed and obligations neglected |
19 |
|
Because addressing the change in the times by interpreting and implementing the Constitution leads to confusion |
66 |
|
Because there are new issues Japan cannot address under the current Constitution, such as contributing to the international community |
41 |
|
O/A |
3 |
|
N/A |
2 |
Q: (Only for those who answered “no” to the foregoing question) Why do you think the current Constitution should not be amended? Select as many reasons as you like from among those listed below.
|
Because the Constitution has taken root among the people |
43 |
|
Because it is a peace constitution that Japan can take pride in internationally |
54 |
|
Because the Constitution guarantees fundamental human rights and democracy |
35 |
|
Because the Constitution can be interpreted or applied in a flexible way in line with the change in the times |
35 |
|
Because there is the risk that revising the Constitution may pave the way for Japan to become a military power |
46 |
|
O/A |
2 |
|
N/A |
2 |
Q: Article 9 of the Constitution stipulates Japan’s renunciation of war and prohibits its maintenance of war potential. To date, the government has interpreted and implemented these provisions in a flexible way to address relevant issues. What do you think the government should do in regard to Article 9 going forward?
|
Address issues by interpreting and implementing Article 9 in a flexible way as in the past |
40 |
|
Amend Article 9 because dealing with issues by flexibly interpreting and implementing the article has reached its limits |
35 |
|
Strictly abide by Article 9; do not address issues by interpreting and implementing Article 9 in a flexible way |
19 |
|
O/A |
1 |
|
N/A |
6 |
Q: The Constitution’s Article 9 has two paragraphs. What are your views on amending them?
The first paragraph stipulates that Japan “renounces war.” Do you think this paragraph needs to be amended?
|
Yes |
13 |
|
No |
83 |
|
N/A |
3 |
The second paragraph stipulates that Japan “will never again maintain war potential.” Do you think this paragraph needs to be amended?
|
Yes |
44 |
|
No |
51 |
|
N/A |
6 |
Q: Is there anything you think should be amended in the Constitution or should be added to the Constitution? Select as many as you like from the items listed below.
|
Emperor’s status, vision of what the Emperor should be |
17 |
|
Maintenance of armed forces for self-defense |
41 |
|
Proactive international cooperation |
18 |
|
Right to access government information |
20 |
|
Protection of personal information and privacy |
25 |
|
Respect for family |
12 |
|
Right to live in a good environment |
29 |
|
Enhancement of education |
32 |
|
Strengthening of the prime minister’s powers in state of emergency |
11 |
|
Lengthening of the terms of Diet members in state of emergency |
5 |
|
Maintenance of sound public finances |
35 |
|
Roles of the Lower House and Upper House |
16 |
|
Prime minister’s power to dissolve the Lower House |
7 |
|
Framework for national elections |
13 |
|
Roles of central and local governments |
17 |
|
Establishment of a constitutional court |
4 |
|
O/A |
1 |
|
NIP |
13 |
|
N/A |
3 |
Q: How interested are you in the constitutional amendment debate taking place at the political parties and the Diet today?
|
Very interested |
15 |
|
Somewhat interested |
49 |
|
Not very interested |
28 |
|
Not interested at all |
7 |
|
N/A |
1 |
Q: Do you think that the political parties should engage in a more active debate on the Constitution?
|
Yes |
65 |
|
No |
31 |
|
N/A |
4 |
Q: Both the Upper and Lower Houses have a Commission on the Constitution that conducts research on the Constitution and screens constitutional amendment drafts. Which one of the following is closest to your views on the Commissions on the Constitution?
|
They should promote debate without impacting the Diet, including its deliberation of budget drafts and other bills |
73 |
|
It is okay if they do not promote debate because the Diet has matters to attend to such as deliberating budget drafts and other bills |
20 |
|
N/A |
8 |
Q: The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is mulling a proposal that would add a provision stipulating the grounds for the SDF while maintaining paragraph 2 of Article 9, which stipulates that Japan will never again maintain war potential. Are you in favor of or opposed to this proposal?
|
In favor |
47 |
|
Opposed |
46 |
|
N/A |
7 |
Q: (Only for those who answered “in favor” to the foregoing question) Why are you in favor of the proposal? Select as many reasons as you like from those listed below.
|
Because questions about the constitutionality of Japan’s having the SDF should be resolved |
50 |
|
Because, even though having the SDF is constitutional, it is problematic to handle the SDF by interpreting and implementing the Constitution |
40 |
|
Because the renunciation of war will be upheld |
38 |
|
Because it will make it easier to amend the Constitution in the future |
8 |
|
Because the Constitution should be amended under the Abe administration |
12 |
|
O/A |
1 |
|
N/A |
2 |
Q: (Only for those who answered “opposed” to the foregoing question) Why are you opposed to the proposal? Select as many reasons as you like from those listed below.
|
Because it would open the way for Japan to become a military power |
48 |
|
Because having the SDF is not unconstitutional and so Article 9 does not need to be amended |
32 |
|
Because the Constitution should be amended to designate the SDF as national defense forces |
19 |
|
Because the Constitution should not be amended in the future |
30 |
|
Because the Constitution should not be amended under the Abe administration |
37 |
|
O/A |
2 |
|
N/A |
1 |
Q: To reduce “the disparity in the relative weight of a vote” in the Upper House, combined constituencies have been used since the Upper House election held in the summer of 2016. Under this system, “Tottori and Shimane Prefectures” and “Tokushima and Kochi Prefectures” were merged, respectively, to each form one constituency. Which of the following is closest to your thinking about this? Select only one.
|
It would be good to create combined constituencies as necessary going forward |
46 |
|
It would be good to eliminate combined constituencies by amending the Constitution and creating a provision stating that at least one delegate shall be elected from each prefecture |
21 |
|
It would be good to eliminate combined constituencies not by revising the Constitution but by changing the electoral system through the amendment of legislation |
27 |
|
N/A |
6 |
Q: In Japan, the prime minister may dissolve the House of Representatives and call a general election if the prime minister deems it necessary. Which of the following is closer to your thinking about this?
|
It is good that a general election can be held whenever the prime minister deems it necessary |
39 |
|
It is not good that a general election can be held at just the prime minister’s discretion |
58 |
|
N/A |
4 |
Q: Which one of the following is closest to your views on the current emperor system? Select only one response.
|
The current system where the emperor is a symbol is fine |
78 |
|
It should be expressly stated that the emperor is the head of state and he should be given greater authority |
5 |
|
The emperor system should be abolished |
7 |
|
Not interested |
8 |
|
N/A |
2 |
Q: The Constitution stipulates various rights and freedoms. To what degree do you think the following items are actually protected in Japan today? Select one response for each category.
Equality under the law
|
Fully protected |
6 |
|
Somewhat protected |
64 |
|
Not very well protected |
25 |
|
Not protected at all |
3 |
|
N/A |
2 |
Freedom of thought and conscience
|
Fully protected |
10 |
|
Somewhat protected |
67 |
|
Not very well protected |
19 |
|
Not protected at all |
1 |
|
N/A |
2 |
Freedom of assembly and association as well as speech, press, and all other forms of expression
|
Fully protected |
10 |
|
Somewhat protected |
66 |
|
Not very well protected |
20 |
|
Not protected at all |
1 |
|
N/A |
3 |
Freedom to choose and change residence and to choose occupation
|
Fully protected |
23 |
|
Somewhat protected |
62 |
|
Not very well protected |
12 |
|
Not protected at all |
1 |
|
N/A |
2 |
Freedom of marriage
|
Fully protected |
26 |
|
Somewhat protected |
61 |
|
Not very well protected |
10 |
|
Not protected at all |
1 |
|
N/A |
2 |
Right to maintain the minimum standards of wholesome and cultured living
|
Fully protected |
11 |
|
Somewhat protected |
56 |
|
Not very well protected |
29 |
|
Not protected at all |
3 |
|
N/A |
2 |
Right to receive an education
|
Fully protected |
17 |
|
Somewhat protected |
64 |
|
Not very well protected |
16 |
|
Not protected at all |
1 |
|
N/A |
2 |
Q: Do you ever sense a contradiction between the provisions of the current Constitution and the actual state of politics and society?
|
Often |
11 |
|
Sometimes |
60 |
|
Not very often |
25 |
|
Never |
1 |
|
N/A |
2 |
Q: After the Diet approves constitutional amendment proposals, a national referendum is held and the amendment proposals must gain an affirmative vote of the majority of all ballots cast in order to be adopted. Which of the following is closer to your view on approval by the Diet?
|
The Diet should approve amendment proposals as soon as possible through the concurring vote of Diet members amenable to constitutional amendment |
23 |
|
The Diet should approve amendment proposals with the backing of as many political parties as possible even if it takes time |
73 |
|
N/A |
4 |
Q: What do you think would be the best timing for the Diet to approve constitutional amendment proposals?
|
In 2019 |
9 |
|
By 2020 |
23 |
|
In or after 2021 |
33 |
|
O/A |
3 |
|
There is no need for the Diet to approve constitutional amendment proposals |
22 |
|
N/A |
10 |
Q: In deciding what candidate or political party to vote for in the Upper House election this summer, will you factor in the candidates’ or political parties’ views on the Constitution?
|
Yes |
57 |
|
No |
41 |
|
N/A |
3 |
Q: If a national referendum were held on constitutional amendment, how do you think political advertisements on television and radio calling for either supporting or rejecting an amendment should be handled? Which of the following is closer to your view?
|
The current system is fine. Namely, with an eye to encouraging free and active debate and expression of views, it is fine for there to be no restrictions on advertisements until the final two weeks before the vote |
57 |
|
Restrictions should be increased so the volume of ads calling for either supporting or rejecting an amendment is not imbalanced |
38 |
|
N/A |
4 |
Polling methodology: The survey was implemented on a mail-in basis of a total of 3,000 persons chosen from among eligible voters throughout the country (at 250 locations on a stratified two-stage random-sampling basis). Questionnaires were sent out on March 12 to those chosen for the survey, and completed surveys were sent back by 2,200 persons by April 18. Valid answers were obtained from 2,103 persons (70%), excluding answers from those not subject to the survey.
Breakdown of respondents: Male, 50%; female, 50%. Age 18–29, 12%; 30s, 12%; 40s, 19%; 50s, 17%; 60s, 19%; 70 and over, 21%.
Note: Figures are rounded off. The total percentage of numerical values in graphs and tables may not add up to 100%.
