Awareness Survey of 18-Year-OldsResults of 13th and 14th installments announced

The 13th installment of the Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds, launched by The Nippon Foundation in October 2018, was carried out in early April with a theme of “Japan’s Constitution.” The results, announced on April 25, showed that fewer than 40% of respondents are “familiar” with the Constitution. At the same time, more than 70% responded that they know the Constitution’s three underlying principles of pacifism, popular sovereignty, and the guarantee of fundamental human rights, but fewer than 60% feel that these principles are functioning in today’s society.

The results of the 14th installment, on the theme of “Japan and Overseas Countries,” announced on May 29, showed that close to half of respondents have traveled overseas at least once, while slightly more than half are interested in living overseas. In terms of what Japan can be proud of, the top replies were “subculture like anime and manga,” “washoku (Japanese cuisine),” and “Japan’s scenery, nature, and seasons.” With regard to areas in which Japan lags behind other developed countries, the top replies were “equality between men and women,” “diplomatic strength,” and “economic strength.”

Notes:

  1. From the 13th survey, the number of respondents, comprising men and women aged 17 to 19, has been increased to 1,000 from 800.
  2. In the information below, differences between total amounts and simple sums are due to rounding.

Survey 13. Japan’s Constitution (Results announced on April 25, 2019)

Finding: 60.6% of respondents were not “familiar” with the Constitution.

“Are you “familiar” with the Constitution?” (n=1,000)

  • Yes (39.4%)
  • No (60.6%)
Pie chart showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds
Are you “familiar” with the Constitution? (n=1,000)

Finding: More than 70% of respondents know the Constitution’s 3 underlying principles

Do you know the Constitution’s 3 underlying principles? (n = 1,000)

Bar chart showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds: In response to the question, “Do you know the Constitution’s 3 underlying principles?” for the principle of pacifism, 75.8% replied “Yes, and I understand what it means” 20.6% replied “Aware of, but do not know what it means,” and 3.6% replied “No.” For the principle of guaranteeing fundamental human rights, 73.9% replied “Yes, and I understand what it means,” 22.4% replied “Aware of, but do not know what it means,” and 3.7% replied “No.” For the principle of popular sovereignty, 72.9% replied “Yes, and I understand what it means,” 22.8% replied “Aware of, but do not know what it means,” and 4.3% replied “No.”

Finding: Fewer than 60% of respondents believe that these principles are “functioning” in today’s society.

Do you believe these principles are “functioning” in today’s society? (n = 1,000)

Bar chart showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds: In response to the question, “Do you believe these principles are “functioning” in today’s society?” for the principle of pacifism, 55.0% replied “Yes,” 19.9% replied “No,” and 25.1% replied “Don’t know.” For the principle of guaranteeing fundamental human rights, 43.5% replied “Yes,” 29.5% replied “No,” and 27.0% replied “Don’t know.” For the principle of popular sovereignty, 45.7% replied “Yes,” 26.4% replied “No,” and 27.9% replied “Don’t know.”

Survey 14. Japan and Overseas Countries (Results announced on May 29, 2019)

Finding: Close to half (46.6%) of respondents have traveled overseas. (n = 1,000)

Have you traveled overseas?

  • One time – 24.6%
  • More than one time – 22.0%
  • Never – 53.4%
Pie chart showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds
Have you traveled overseas? (n=1,000)

Overseas destinations to which respondents have traveled (multiple answers allowed; n = 466)

  • Asia – 58.6%
  • North America (including Guam and Hawaii) – 42.5%
  • Oceana – 19.1%
  • Europe, Russia – 16.3%
  • Central, South America – 3.9%
  • Middle East – 3.0%
  • Africa – 1.9%

Finding: Slightly more than half (52.8%) of respondents are interested in living overseas. (n = 1,000)

Are you interested in living overseas?

  • Very interested – 22.3%
  • Interested – 30.5%
  • No opinion – 16.8%
  • Not interested – 14.1%
  • Not at all interested – 16.3%
Pie chart showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds
Are you interested in living overseas? (n=1,000)

Top reasons for wanting to live overseas. (multiple answers allowed; n = 528)

  • There is a place where I want to live – 50.6%
  • I like or am interested in overseas culture – 50.2%
  • It seems like it would be fun and/or interesting – 48.3%
  • I want to learn a foreign language – 45.6%
  • I want to be stimulated by people from other countries – 40.7%

Top reasons for not wanting to live overseas. (multiple answers allowed; n = 472)

  • Japan is a good place to live – 46.0%
  • I like Japan – 41.1%
  • Living overseas is dangerous – 39.2%
  • I don’t want to leave Japan – 38.1%
  • I have no need nor reason to live overseas – 32.2%

Finding: More than three-fourths of respondents believe that Japan is a good country.

In response to the question “Do you believe Japan is a good country?” (n = 1,000)

  • Yes – 76.9%
  • No – 6.7%
  • Don’t know – 16.4%
Pie chart showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds
Do you believe Japan is a good country? (n=1,000)

Top things for which Japan can be proud (multiple answers allowed; n = 1,000)

  • Subculture like anime and manga – 55.3%
  • Washoku (Japanese cuisine) – 54.6%
  • Japan’s scenery, nature, and seasons – 50.4%
  • Public safety – 50.3%
  • Japan is a peaceful country – 43.9%

Top areas in which Japan lags behind other developed countries (multiple answers allowed; n = 1,000)

  • Equality between men and women – 46.1%
  • Diplomatic strength – 35.7%
  • Economic strength – 33.8%
  • High level of education – 32.9%
  • Political influence – 30.2%

Contact

Public Relations Team
The Nippon Foundation

  • Email: cc@ps.nippon-foundation.or.jp