Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds – Japan’s First Female Prime MinisterResults of 74th installment announced – 1.3% of respondents have ‘apprehensions’ about new prime minister being a woman, more than 80% have ‘expectations for Japan to change’

The 74^th installment of the Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds was carried out over four days from November 7 on the theme of “Japan’s First Female Prime Minister.” This was roughly three weeks after Sanae Takaichi took office as Japan’s first female prime minister, and the survey asked young people about their impressions  and expectations of the new administration.
When asked their impressions of Japan having its first female prime minister, roughly 36% of all respondents, and 44% of female respondents, replied that they had a “new sense of hope.” In addition, 20% cited a “feeling that Japan has made a historical advance,” while only 1.3% had a “feeling of apprehension about the new prime minister being a woman.”
Regarding the dissolution of the coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Komeito party, including “somewhat” replies, more than 50% of respondents believed it would “have a positive effect on Japan’s politics.” With regard to the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) forming a coalition with the LDP, although a majority replied that it would “have an effect on my own life going forward,” 30% of all respondents and 40% of female respondents replied “Don’t know.”
In terms of expectations of Ms. Takaichi, the top reply, at more than 30%, was that respondents “have faith that Japan will become better.” This was followed by an “ability to build relationships with other countries and international perspective” and being “clean” (e.g. transparent) in the 20% range.  When asked what themes they would like to see emphasized going forward, the top reply was “economic policy” followed by “declining birthrate and support for child rearing.” In terms of reducing the number of Diet (parliament) seats and achieving the secondary capital concept, preconditions the JIP had made for entering into a coalition, support was limited to single digits.
On other topics, impressions of the new administration at the time of the survey, including “somewhat” replies, showed 60% viewing it as a “positive change.” More than 80% of respondents cited a sense of expectation that the administration would “bring change to Japan,” while the top replies for what is needed for political stability going forward were “leadership from Prime Minister Takaichi,” “responsible actions and words from opposition parties,” and “policy proposals backed by financial resources.”

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 18-year-olds who represent Japan’s next generation. With this in mind, in October 2018 The Nippon Foundation launched the Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds as an ongoing survey of young men and women across Japan aged around 18, to survey their values, attitudes toward politics and elections, understanding of social issues, and other current themes on an ongoing basis.