By Ito Nanae

As the turmoil in Afghanistan continues, the Mainichi Shimbun public opinion poll probed views on the U.S. military’s withdrawal from that country. Some 42% said that the withdrawal is “inevitable” while 28% said that the U.S. military “should not withdraw” and 30% said that they “do not know.” Since April, when the U.S. announced the complete withdrawal of its military, the Taliban, an Islamic group, has expanded the areas under its control and seized power this month. Public safety is deteriorating due to suicide bombings. (Abridged)