Constitutional Debate and the Current State of Japanese National Awareness
March 2005
Outline of the Survey
The survey was conducted for three days, from 8 (Sat.) to 10(Mon.) January 2005, using personal interview method, targeting 1,800 people aged 20 and over nationwide, and 57.3% of them, or 1,031 people, has responded.
Major Results
-70 % of the respondents are interested in the debate on constitutional amendment. The percentage is a little higher than that regarding general constitutional debate.
-the Ratio of people who think constitutional amendment is necessary has increased to 60 % . As the reason for it, numbers of respondents stated, “Because changing times have made many issues difficult to resolve.”
-As for Article 9 that stipulates the renunciation of war, people who thinks “Article 9 should be amended ”and “Article 9 should not be amended” share almost the same percentage.
-Responding to the recent political realignment, attitudes towards constitutional amendment by political affiliation have dramatically changed, and little difference is observed between the supporters of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and that of the largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan. Regarding the revision of Article 9 and security issue, pacifistic climate is prevailing in the “non-party affiliates” group.
