The Asahi Shimbun nationwide (telephone-based) spot survey [conducted on Sept. 26–27] probed views on the current system in which the prime minister can dissolve the Lower House at any time at his or her discretion. Some 54% said that “the right to dissolve the Lower House should be restricted,” while 31% said “the current system is fine the way it….Read more

Ahead of the upcoming general election for the House of Representatives, Kyodo News conducted a telephone-based public opinion survey (1st trend survey) across the nation on Sept. 23–24 to probe the trends in public support for political parties. When asked about which party they would vote for today in the proportional representation segment of the Lower House election, Abe’s Liberal….Read more

The Nikkei Inc. and TV Tokyo conducted a joint telephone-based public opinion poll on Sept. 22–24. Asked which political party they will vote for or which party had candidates they will vote for in the next Lower House election, 44% said the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The main opposition force, the Democratic Party (DP), received only 8% approval, as did….Read more

The results of the Nikkei Inc./TV Tokyo telephone poll [conducted on Sept. 22–24] showed there is no political party that offers a viable alternative for those critical of the Abe administration. Under its new leader Seiji Maehara, the Democratic Party (DP) is trying to create the impression of party renewal, while Masaru Wakasa and others will launch a new political….Read more

According to the opinion poll jointly conducted by the Sankei Shimbun and Fuji News Network (FNN) [on Sept. 16–17], the Abe cabinet support rate recovered to the 50% range for the first time in four months. The most recent polls conducted by other major media outlets also found a similar rise in the public’s backing of the cabinet. Although support….Read more

According to the opinion poll jointly conducted by the Sankei Shimbun and Fuji News Network (FNN) [on Sept. 16–17], some 53.8% of respondents think Japan “should possess” the capability to attack enemy bases, including North Korean bases that launch ballistic missiles. Those in favor of Japan gaining this capability exceeded those opposed (38.2%). Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been cautious….Read more