Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds – National SecurityResults of 53rd installment announced – War or conflict among neighboring countries seen as top threat to Japan

The 53^rd installment of the Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds, launched by The Nippon Foundation in October 2018, was carried out from January 11-16 on the subject of “National Security.” The survey of 1,000 respondents in Japan aged 17 to 19 was intended to examine young people’s attitudes and opinions regarding peace and Japan’s national security policies, and increasing the defense budget.
When asked what they saw as the biggest threat to Japan over the next five years, the top response among both men and women was “war or the effects from conflict among countries neighboring Japan,” followed by an “armed attack by another country against Japan.” More than 30% of respondents also rated the likelihood of Japan becoming involved in an armed conflict with another country within the next five years as “50% or higher.”
Opinion was divided with regard to the increase in defense spending currently being deliberated in the Diet, with 38% approving and 32% disapproving.

Highlights of the 53rd Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds – National Security

Top three threats to Japan over the next five years

• War or the effects from conflict among countries neighboring Japan – 51.7%
• Armed attack by another country against Japan – 47.2%
• Armed attack by another country against a U.S. military base in Japan – 31.6%

Approval / disapproval of government’s policy to increase defense spending

• Approve – 38.9%
• Disapprove – 32.2%

Likelihood of Japan becoming involved in an armed conflict with another country within the next five years

• 50% or higher – 32.4%

Likelihood of Japan introducing military conscription and you and other citizens fighting as combatants in a war zone

• 50% or higher – 24.9% (men) / 13.8% (women)

National security policies that should be pursued to maintain peace for Japan

• Economic stability – 26.2%
• Don’t know – 20.7%
• Three Non-Nuclear Principles – 20.4%
  (Not possessing, not producing and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons)

Existing treaties and Constitution notwithstanding, support that Japan should provide to another country in the event that country is attacked by a third country

• Nonmilitary support, military support (defensive and offensive), and military intervention – 15.8%
• Nonmilitary support and military support (defensive and offensive) only – 21.3%
• Nonmilitary support and military support (defensive) only – 22.8%

Survey Excerpts

About the Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds

Revisions to Japan’s Civil Code lowering the age of adulthood to 18 for a range of activities, including voting, took effect in April 2022, making it even more important to understand and record the awareness of the young people who represent Japan’s next generation. With this in mind, in October 2018 The Nippon Foundation launched the Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds, an internet survey of 1,000 young men and women across Japan aged 17 to 19, to survey their values, attitude toward politics, understanding of social issues, and other current themes on an ongoing basis.

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. With the exception of the 20^th and 46^th installments, “Awareness Survey of Society and Country,” all surveys cover respondents in Japan only.