September 26, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The vast majority of people in Japan think their country remains vulnerable to outside aggression, according to a poll by the Cabinet Office. 80.2 per cent of respondents are very or moderately concerned about the possibility of a military attack.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The vast majority of people in Japan think their country remains vulnerable to outside aggression, according to a poll by the Cabinet Office. 80.2 per cent of respondents are very or moderately concerned about the possibility of a military attack.

In September 2006, Shinzo Abe became the new leader of the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Japan’s 90th prime minister. Abe vowed to "make Japan into a country full of vitality, opportunities and kindness."

Abe resigned on Sept. 10. His tenure was affected by allegations of corruption, massive clerical errors within the Social Insurance Agency (SIA), embarrassing statements by several cabinet members, and the suicide of agriculture minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka.

On Sept. 23, Yasuo Fukuda, a 71-year-old moderate who favours closer ties with Asia, was elected as the new LDP leader. Yesterday, Fukuda was officially sworn in as Japan’s prime minister.

In July 2006, North Korea launched seven missiles—including the Taepodong-2—which landed in the Sea of Japan close to Russian coastal areas. In October 2006, the country announced it had successfully carried out a test detonation of a nuclear weapon.

On Sept. 24, Kim Yon Chull, a policy researcher at Seoul’s Korea University, said he believes Fukuda could ease relations with North Korea, adding, "North Korea may expect a Fukuda government to refrain from acting harshly. In fact, the North may even expect a new premier to play a positive role in the six-nation talks."

The five nations engaged in negotiations to dismantle North Korea’s nuclear facilities—as promised by the government in Pyongyang—are the United States, China, Japan, Russia and South Korea.

Polling Data

Are you concerned about the possibility of a military attack against Japan?

Very concerned / Moderately concerned	80.2%
Not too concerned / Not concerned at all	19.8%

Source: Cabinet Office
Methodology: Interviews with 1,805 Japanese adults, conducted from Aug. 2 to Aug. 12, 2007. No margin of error was provided.