Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds – Coronavirus and Social ParticipationResults of 42nd installment announced

The 42nd installment of the Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds, launched by The Nippon Foundation in October 2018, was carried out from September 16 to 21 on the subject of the “Coronavirus and Social Participation.” The survey was intended to examine the changes that have occurred as a result of the coronavirus pandemic with regard to young people’s interest in politics and elections, economic activity, and cultural and artistic activities.
The survey showed that young people’s interest in politics has increased as a result of the pandemic, with 34% of respondents having an increased sense that politics and elections affect them personally, compared with before January 2020 when reports of the pandemic first emerged. Of respondents who had worked or looked for work since the outbreak of the pandemic, 42% said that job openings had decreased. Of those currently working, 21% replied that their income had declined, and of those currently working or who have worked during the pandemic, 53% were not aware that part-time workers are able to use the government’s financial aid program for workers whose income declined, showing that awareness of financial assistance programs is limited. The survey also showed that young people’s participation in cultural and artistic events has suffered, with more than half of respondents saying that opportunities to attend or participate in cultural and artistic facilities or events had decreased. Of all respondents, only 26% had viewed online cultural or artistic performances, and the percentage who had taken remote tours of or visits to cultural or artistic facilities was even lower, at 15%. In addition, roughly 70% reported decreases in various experiences and opportunities with friends.

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. (With the exception of the 20th installment, “Awareness Survey of Society and Country,” all surveys cover respondents in Japan only.)
  2. In the information below, differences between total amounts and simple sums are due to rounding.

Survey 42. Coronavirus and Social Participation (Results announced on October 27, 2021)

Finding: 33.9% of respondents noted increased interest in politics and elections, and 27.9% noticed an increased sense of having clear ideas about politics, elections, and social issues since the outbreak of the pandemic. (n = 1,000)

“Has your interest in politics and social issues increased or decreased compared with before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic?”

Bar chart showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds: In response to the question, “Has your interest in politics and social issues increased or decreased compared with before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic?”, in terms of “Feeling that politics and elections affect my own life,” 33.9% of respondents replied that their interest has “Increased” or “Increased somewhat,” “53.5% replied that their interest was “Unchanged,” and 12.6% replied that their interest has “Decreased” or “Decreased somewhat.” In terms of “Having ideas and thinking about politics, elections, and social issues,” 27.9% of respondents replied that their interest has “Increased” or “Increased somewhat,” “58.4% replied that their interest was “Unchanged,” and 13.7% replied that their interest has “Decreased” or “Decreased somewhat.” In terms of “Talking with people around me about politics, elections, and social issues,” 25.9% of respondents replied that their interest has “Increased” or “Increased somewhat,” “59.1% replied that their interest was “Unchanged,” and 15.0% replied that their interest has “Decreased” or “Decreased somewhat.” In terms of “Proactively obtaining information about politics, elections, and social issues,” 24.4% of respondents replied that their interest has “Increased” or “Increased somewhat,” “61.1% replied that their interest was “Unchanged,” and 14.5% replied that their interest has “Decreased” or “Decreased somewhat.” In terms of “Feeling that my own actions can change the country or society,” 17.5% of respondents replied that their interest has “Increased” or “Increased somewhat,” “62.8% replied that their interest was “Unchanged,” and 19.7% replied that their interest has “Decreased” or “Decreased somewhat.” (n = 1,000)

Finding: 41.9% of respondents felt job openings had decreased compared with before the pandemic, and 41.6% said that it had become more difficult to find work.

Bar chart showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds: In response to the statement, “Compared with before the pandemic, job openings have decreased,” 41.9% of respondents replied “Agree” or “Somewhat agree,” 34.1% replied “Neither agree nor disagree,” and 24.0% replied “Disagree” or “Somewhat disagree” (n = 454). In response to the statement, “Compared with before the pandemic, it has become more difficult to find work,” 41.6% of respondents replied “Agree” or “Somewhat agree,” 34.8% replied “Neither agree nor disagree,” and 23.6% replied “Disagree” or “Somewhat disagree” (n = 454). In response to the statement, “Compared with before the pandemic, I have felt unable to envision my future and career,” 29.4% of respondents replied “Agree” or “Somewhat agree,” 43.8% replied “Neither agree nor disagree,” and 26.8% replied “Disagree” or “Somewhat disagree” (n = 1,000). In response to the statement, “When choosing a job, I take into account the risk of coronavirus infection,” 28.2% of respondents replied “Agree” or “Somewhat agree,” 43.1% replied “Neither agree nor disagree,” and 28.7% replied “Disagree” or “Somewhat disagree” (n = 1,000). In response to the statement, “Compared with before the pandemic, it has become more difficult to balance work and school,” 19.7% of respondents replied “Agree” or “Somewhat agree,” 47.7% replied “Neither agree nor disagree,” and 32.5% replied “Disagree” or “Somewhat disagree” (n = 888).

Notes:

  • Items 1 & 2 covered the 454 respondents who had worked or looked for work since January 2020.
    Items 3 & 4 covered all respondents
    Item 5 covered the 888 respondents who are students who work
  • “Work” includes full-time work, part-time work, and individually run businesses

Contact

Public Relations Team
The Nippon Foundation

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