Frustrated Public Responds

Major national newspapers conducted poll survey on new security legislation on last weekend. They proved that most people thought legislative procedure in the Diet was insufficient or inappropriate. Although it has been likely that a newspaper supportive for current administration drew a conclusion favorable for the government, such a tendency did not appeared this time. It showed how Japanese people were not satisfied with handling of politics by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

To a question of Asahi Shimbun whether supportive or opposite to new security bills, 51% of responders expressed opposition to the bills, while 30% supported them. On unilateral decision of the leading parties, Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, to take votes on the bills, only 16% thought it was good, making clear contrast from 67% that realized that had not been good. More significantly, 75% answered that discussion in the Diet had not been completed, overwhelming the 12% who thought that discussion had been over. Supporting rate of Abe administration marked new low of 36%.

In the poll by Mainichi Shimbun, 57% answered that they would not positively evaluate new security legislation, while 33% showed positive attitude. “Discussion was incomplete” topped as a reason why they did not accept the legislation, followed by “because I oppose to the bills” and “the bills should have been revised.” 78% thought that explanation to the public was insufficient, making contrast with 13% of “it was sufficient.” Answerer who thought the bills were violating the Constitution of Japan amounted to 60%, increasing by 8 points from previous survey in July.

Surprisingly enough, the same tendency was seen in the poll by Yomiuri Shimbun, which had ordinarily been supportive to the policies of Abe administration. In the survey, 58% answered that they would not positively evaluate new security legislation, while 31% would support that. 82% thought that explanation of the government and the leading parties were not enough. Supporting rate of Abe administration dropped to 41%, losing 4 points from previous survey.

The results of polls by major newspapers indicated unpopularity of new security legislation that Abe firmly insisted that it was necessary for protecting life and property of Japanese people. However, what he really wanted to do with the legislation seemed not to be protecting interest of Japan, as long as explanation on efficiency of new security legislation was contradictory, but exercising of collective self-defense, which no former Prime Ministers could go beyond. The leading parties are serious about regaining popularity, looking to next election as soon as next summer. But, the damage of security legislation would be more profound than they calculate.