From Poll 2001

Here are some excerpts from opinion poll by major journalism.

Still high cabinet support, somewhat anxious about BSE

[chart: Apr.-Nov,2001: Approve: 78,84,81,77,69,70,71,74%; Not-approve: 8,6,8,9,17,14,13,15]
The Asahi Shimbun's regular opinion poll shows the approval rate for Koizumi's Cabinet rose slightly to 74%, up from 71% in October. It conducted the telephone survey on November 24 and 25, with 2,071 valid responses out of 3,603 randomly selected voters. While 73% of respondents appreciated Koizumi's structural reform plans as positive, and 75% said national highway construction plan should be revised, 48% felt they might loose jobs or get less income. 48% said they trusted the government's mandatory screening of all beef cattle against BSE (mad cow disease), but the equal percentage were somewhat anxious. On SDF personnel deployment issue, opinion was divided into 44% approval and 48% disapporoval.

(November 27, 2001, The Asahi Shimbun)

Should cooperate with US but not send SDF overseas

[chart Yes: US retaliatory operation e.g. sending forces = 42%, Japan to cooperate US anti-terrorism action = 62%, Send SDF overseas to support US = 42%, To ease SDF restriction on weapon use = 39%, Anticipate smilar terrorism in Japan = 81%]
I express the deepest sympathy for the last tragedy in the US. Most Japanese share the sympathy, but differ in opinion on forces. While 62% supports Japan's cooperation with the United States in anti-terrorism moves, 46% disapproves the Koizumi's plan to send SDF overseas, according to the Asahi Shimbun's telephone poll on September 28 and 29. (2,119 respondents out of 3,485 randomly selected voters). Please note this kind of survey result may greatly vary depending on the wording of the questions, and Q's on the above chart are significantly abbreviated. The approval rate for Koizumi Cabinet was 70%, and 55% said he responded well to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

(October 1, 2001, The Asahi Shimbun)

Cabinet Approval Drops while Majority Against Shrine Visit

[chart: Apr.-Aug,2001: Approve: 78,84,81,77,69%; Not-approve: 8,6,8,9,17]
The approval rate for Koizumi Cabinet went down to 69% (though, of course, still unusually high), while 65% said Koizumi should be more wary about going ahead with the Yasukuni Shrine visit, according to the Asahi Shimbun's telephone poll on August 1 and 2, right after the Upper House Election. (2,183 respondents out of 3,753 randomly selected voters). The people's opinion is shifting from July survey, when 41% said he should visit vs. 42% said should be cautious. [chart: 41% support coalition, 26% believes capacity, 37% confident with plan, 26% positive on Yasukuni, 55% understand Asian reaction] 37% said they were confident with his reform plan while 52% felt anxious. 52% appreciated that LDP had gained majority seats in the recent Election.

(August 4, 2001, The Asahi Shimbun)

Even Higher Approval for Koizumi Cabinet

[chart: 84% approval, 44% support coalition, 37% believes capacity, 23% feel plan clear, 65% appriciate Foreign Minister, 64% he can change LDP]
With an 84% support rating among eligible voters, the Koizumi Cabinet outranks any previous administration in popularity. The Asahi Shimbun conducted telephone poll on May 26 and 27, 2001 asking about cabinet support. (2,394 respondents out of 3,829 randomly selected voters). So many people expect this Prime Minister might change the old-malfunctional political system of this country. Though still 47% consider his popularity preceded his actual accomplishments, more think he will be able to achieve the reform goal than in April survey. While high approval for Cabinet, only 44% appreciate current coalition, and even lower 34% support ruling LDP.

(May 29, 2001, The Asahi Shimbun)

Most support Article 9 while Divided on Amendment

[chart: Yes rates; constitution change = 47%, Article 9 change = 17%, SDF UNconstitutinal = 13%, retain Japan-US security treaty = 74%]
The Asahi Shimbun conducted face-to-face survey on April 8 and 9, 2001 asking about constitution. (2,069 respondents out of 3,000 randomly selected voters). While a plurality, 47%, agree there is a need to change the Constitution, a resounding 74% want the war-renouncing Article 9 left as is. Asked about the Self-Defense Forces, only 13% of respondents said they were unconstitutional, compared to 61% who said they were not. 70% admitted that Japan-US security treaty has contributed to the peace and stability of Japan and Asia, and 70% said it should be retained. Some questions are comparable to equivalents in 1997.

(May 2, 2001, The Asahi Shimbun)

Koizumi Cabinet Gets Record High Approval

[chart: 78% approval, 71% adimit national people's sese, 23% believes capacity, 57% supports reform plan, 41% favor his conservative vision, 72% admire overcome of fuction]
The newly formed Koizumi Cabinet got most approval, contrary to the previsou Mori Cabinet, all major poll reported. The Asahi Shimbun conducted telephone poll on April 27 and 28, 2001 asking about cabinet support. (2,273 respondents out of 3,955 randomly selected voters). A record 78 percent of people support Junichiro Koizumi's Cabinet. The high approval rating stems from public expectations following his campaign platform advocating reform. But only 23 percent said they expected Koizumi to make a good prime minister, while 56 percent were worried his popularity had preceded him.
(The chart exhibited wrong data during 4/30-5/30 which was corrected on May 30, 2001. Sorry for confusing presentation)

(April 30, 2001, The Asahi Shimbun)

Historically Low Cabinet Approval

[chart: only 9% approval vs 79% disapproval] Most Japanese say no against the current cabinet. The Asahi Shimbun conducted telephone poll on February 17 and 18, 2001 asking about cabinet and political party support. (1,195 respondents out of 1,537 randomly selected voters). The cabinet approval rate has fallen to 9 percent, the second lowest since The Asahi Shimbun began the survey in 1946. 71% answered that Prime Minister Mori should resign as early as possible.

(February 19, 2001, The Asahi Shimbun)