Disclaimer: All polls on Debito.org are not to meant to be scientifically valid by any stretch of statistics, or indicative of much of anything. Because they can’t be, in all honesty. They’re just meant to be a fun and interesting way to take the pulse of readers about certain issues. Don’t read too much into them or take them too seriously. Aiming for a couple of polls a month (barring any sudden current issues). Suggestions for topics welcome. Arudou Debito
Do you pay NHK subscription fees?
- No I don't. (45%, 29 Votes)
- Yes I do. (27%, 17 Votes)
- N/A: I don't live in Japan. (20%, 13 Votes)
- I once did, but stopped. (8%, 5 Votes)
Total Voters: 64
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What do you think Japan's falling to third place behind China's economy will do to Japan as a society?
- Nothing. People will just carry on as they always have. (35%, 99 Votes)
- Japan will just sink into aged obsolescence as an economic backwater and specialty market. (32%, 90 Votes)
- It will be devastating to the Japanese people's pride and result in scapegoating. (16%, 46 Votes)
- It will be tough at first, but Japan will finally see the writing on the wall and bounce back. (9%, 25 Votes)
- Don't know / Can't say / Don't care etc. (6%, 16 Votes)
- Something else. (2%, 5 Votes)
Total Voters: 281
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"The Cove" dolphin slaughter protesters have moved their upcoming demo away from Taiji due to the threat of violence. What do you think of this?
- Bad idea. By giving in to bullies, you'll just encourage more threats of violence elsewhere. (37%, 61 Votes)
- I'm not a supporter of "The Cove" protesters in any case. (36%, 59 Votes)
- Good idea. Make sure the message gets out, no matter where it is. (16%, 27 Votes)
- Not sure. Of mixed minds about this. (8%, 14 Votes)
- Don't know/Don't care/Something else. (3%, 5 Votes)
Total Voters: 166
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What are you doing for the summer?
- Spending it in Japan 'cos I basically have no vacation. (44%, 73 Votes)
- Spending it vacationing overseas (not in Japan). (26%, 43 Votes)
- Something else. (17%, 29 Votes)
- Spending it vacationing in Japan. (13%, 22 Votes)
Total Voters: 167
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Rumor has it that the JET Programme is on the chopping block. What should the GOJ do about JET?
- Tweak: Keep the JET Programme but adjust the fundamental goals/budget. (43%, 161 Votes)
- Slash: Eliminate the JET Programme entirely. (39%, 146 Votes)
- Nothing: Keep the JET Programme as is. (9%, 32 Votes)
- Don't know. (5%, 18 Votes)
- Something else. (4%, 17 Votes)
Total Voters: 374
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Who are you rooting for to win the 2010 World Cup?
- Don't know/Don't care. (27%, 54 Votes)
- Netherlands (17%, 35 Votes)
- Spain (56%, 22 Votes)
Total Voters: 201
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What do you think about the new PM Kan Cabinet?
- I have few if any expectations at all. (51%, 84 Votes)
- I have low expectations. (24%, 40 Votes)
- I have high expectations. (21%, 35 Votes)
- Something else. (4%, 6 Votes)
Total Voters: 165
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What do you think about the whole Okinawa Futenma issue?
- This whole issue is a relic of Cold-War thinking. Japan should reassert its sovereignty and all US troops should withdraw from Japanese soil. (25%, 94 Votes)
- Having the Americans there is crucial not only to the Okinawan economy but also regional stability. Not to mention keeping the Genie in the Bottle. (18%, 69 Votes)
- Futenma should be given back and those US troops withdrawn to Guam. (14%, 54 Votes)
- Hatoyama should follow US-J agreements even if signed under LDP rule. Bite the bullet. (12%, 45 Votes)
- I'm happy to see some US troops and bases leave, but having a complete withdrawal is too much to take in. Baby steps. (7%, 26 Votes)
- Don't know, don't care, not sure etc. (5%, 20 Votes)
- I'm all for more secure borders and the status quo, but we need more strict policing of the US troops. (5%, 18 Votes)
- Something else. (4%, 16 Votes)
- I'm neutral on the subject. Issue is too complicated. (4%, 15 Votes)
- I don't know what to say, but the stalemate where the US keeps threatening "separation anxiety" is disrespectful towards Japan. Cut it out! (4%, 15 Votes)
- I can accept a compromise, where US Futenma troops are relocated piecemeal within Japan. (2%, 10 Votes)
Total Voters: 382
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Do you think "Little Black Sambo" should be in print and in educational institutions in Japan?
- No, I don't think race relations in Japan are sophisticated enough to understand the issues behind it. (30%, 75 Votes)
- Not unless there is some grounding in historical context. (29%, 72 Votes)
- Naturally. Freedom of speech and press. (11%, 28 Votes)
- Definitely not. This book should not be in print anywhere. (11%, 27 Votes)
- Of course. There's nothing wrong with the book itself. (10%, 25 Votes)
- Something else. (4%, 10 Votes)
- Don't know, don't care, not sure etc. (5%, 9 Votes)
Total Voters: 246
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What do you think about the GOJ proposal to "stagger" the Golden Week holidays over a month across the archipelago?
- Nice idea, but the change-resistant Japanese public will probably kvetch it to death. Remember daylight-savings "Summer Time"? (25%, 54 Votes)
- Bad idea. It'll cause more problems than it resolves. (25%, 52 Votes)
- Not too keen on the idea. It'll be difficult to manage. (11%, 23 Votes)
- I think it's a great idea. Customize it to the change of seasons! (9%, 19 Votes)
- Nice idea, but it'll face opposition from enfranchised interests. (9%, 19 Votes)
- Are they nuts? Leave things as they are! (9%, 19 Votes)
- Don't know / Can't say / Don't care etc. (8%, 18 Votes)
- Something else. (4%, 8 Votes)
Total Voters: 212
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Do you think Japan will sign the Hague Convention on Child Abductions?
- Yes it will, but Japan won't enforce it. (62%, 100 Votes)
- No it won't. (28%, 46 Votes)
- Don't know / Can't say / Don't care etc. (7%, 11 Votes)
- Yes it will, and it will largely fix things. (3%, 5 Votes)
Total Voters: 162
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What do you think about Sumo Assn's new rule counting naturalized sumo wrestlers as "foreign" in their one-per-stable quotas? (multiple answers OK)
- It's racism, pure and simple. (54%, 184 Votes)
- Narrowmindedness like this does the sport no good. (33%, 114 Votes)
- Somebody should sue the Sumo Association for discrimination. (30%, 104 Votes)
- The Sumo Assn can make rules as they see fit. It's their club. (12%, 41 Votes)
- It's a Japanese sport, and it's only right that NJ are kept from overwhelming it. (6%, 20 Votes)
- You just don't understand. Only Japanese can be real sumo wrestlers. (5%, 18 Votes)
- It's only a game. Who cares? (4%, 13 Votes)
- It's an overreaction by the Sumo Assn but an understandable one. (3%, 11 Votes)
- Something else. (2%, 6 Votes)
- Shikata ga nai. Something has to be done about these wayward NJ wrestlers. (2%, 6 Votes)
- Don't know. (1%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 342
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Are you rooting for Team Japan in the Olympics?
- No, I support a different country, 'cos it's my home, etc. (24%, 63 Votes)
- I don't buy into this "Medal Count" and nationalism hooey. (21%, 56 Votes)
- Don't know / Don't care / etc. (17%, 45 Votes)
- I don't support "Teams". I support individual athletes doing their personal best. (15%, 39 Votes)
- Go anybody! (12%, 33 Votes)
- Of course! Japan is my country and/or my home, and I support the home team! (11%, 32 Votes)
Total Voters: 268
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What do you think about Sumo wrestler Asashoryu's resignation?
- Don't know / Can't say / Don't care etc. (34%, 61 Votes)
- Scandalous. He should not have resigned. (26%, 46 Votes)
- Shikata ga nai. He had no choice but to resign. (25%, 45 Votes)
- Zamaa. He should have resigned. (15%, 27 Votes)
Total Voters: 179
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What do you think about Osaka Gov's proposal to scrap Itami Airport and create a “International Campus Freedom City”?
- I have mixed feelings about it. (25%, 52 Votes)
- I think it's a bad idea, hands down. (25%, 51 Votes)
- In principle, I think it's a great idea. (19%, 40 Votes)
- In principle, I think it's a bad idea. (12%, 24 Votes)
- I think it's a great idea, hands down. (9%, 19 Votes)
- I can't say for sure. (5%, 11 Votes)
- Don't care. (5%, 11 Votes)
Total Voters: 208
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What do you tend to do when a J child is being rude/disrespectful or culturally insensitive to you as a NJ adult?
- I offer a humorous/sarcastic answer, rejoinder, or rebuke. (26%, 66 Votes)
- Can't say for sure because it depends too much on the situation. (16%, 41 Votes)
- I ignore it but fume inside, and wish I could do something about it. (12%, 31 Votes)
- I see my job as cultural representative, so I calmly lead by correction and example. (12%, 29 Votes)
- I tend to scold the child directly. I can't help it. Somebody has to if their parents won't. (9%, 22 Votes)
- I ignore it. This is just childhood innocence. I'm an adult. I can take it. (8%, 21 Votes)
- Something else. (6%, 15 Votes)
- I ignore it. I can't educate every single little kid, so shikata ga nai. (5%, 12 Votes)
- I caution or inform both the child and the parents/supervising adults. (4%, 11 Votes)
- I feel an irrepressible need to offer my perspective and enlighten the children of tomorrow for Japan's future NJ residents! (4%, 10 Votes)
- I caution or inform the parents/supervising adults in the room. (2%, 6 Votes)
- I tend to avoid situations with children so I don't have to react. (2%, 6 Votes)
- I ignore it. I am a guest in this society, so if my role is as gaijin clown, so be it. (2%, 5 Votes)
- Don't know / Don't care. (2%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 250
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What's your reflection and prognosis on things at this juncture?
- 2009 sucked but 2010 looks to be a better year for me. (28%, 26 Votes)
- 2009 sucked and 2010 looks like it will suck too for me. (24%, 22 Votes)
- 2009 was okay and 2010 looks to be a good year too for me. (24%, 22 Votes)
- Both 2009 was and 2010 will be a great year for me. (14%, 13 Votes)
- Don't know/Can't answer (8%, 7 Votes)
- 2009 was okay but 2010 looks like it will suck for me. (2%, 3 Votes)
Total Voters: 93
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What do you consider the TOP THREE NJ human rights events of 2009 in Japan? (More in Japan Times Jan 5)
- The Savoie Child Abduction Case (34%, 49 Votes)
- The forthcoming IC Chips in Gaijin Cards (29%, 42 Votes)
- The election of the DPJ and concomitant hopes (27%, 39 Votes)
- The Nikkei "Repatriation Bribe" (26%, 37 Votes)
- NJ also to be listed on Juuminhyou Residency Certificates (25%, 36 Votes)
- Roppongi police street testing NJ urine for drugs (20%, 29 Votes)
- The Calderon Noriko Case (17%, 25 Votes)
- Police arresting a 74-yr-old US tourist for carrying a pocket knife (17%, 25 Votes)
- Ichihashi Tatsuya's arrest for the Hawker Murder (15%, 21 Votes)
- "Newcomer" Permanent Residents outnumbering "Oldcomer" Zainichi PRs (11%, 16 Votes)
- McDonald's Japan's gaijin shill "Mr James" (10%, 14 Votes)
- Sakanaka's proposals for an Immigration Ministry et al (7%, 10 Votes)
- Don't know / Can't say / Don't care etc. (6%, 8 Votes)
- "The Cove" documentary exposing Wakayama dolphin slaughters (4%, 6 Votes)
- Sakai Noriko pinning her drug issues on NJ dealers (3%, 5 Votes)
- NOVA boss Saruhashi getting 3.5 years for embezzlement (3%, 4 Votes)
- Pothead Sumo wrestlers (2%, 3 Votes)
- Something else (2%, 3 Votes)
Total Voters: 144
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What are you doing for the end-year holidays?
- Quiet time at home going nowhere in particular (55%, 65 Votes)
- Visiting family in Japan (17%, 20 Votes)
- Holidaying/traveling within Japan (12%, 14 Votes)
- Visiting family overseas (11%, 13 Votes)
- No idea / undecided (10%, 12 Votes)
- Something else (6%, 7 Votes)
- Partying away in any case (4%, 5 Votes)
- Holidaying/traveling overseas (3%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 119
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What happened with your Winter Bonus 2009?
- I don't get bonuses, as part of my working conditions. (46%, 61 Votes)
- N/A (I don't work in Japan). (17%, 23 Votes)
- It stayed the same. (12%, 16 Votes)
- It went down. (10%, 14 Votes)
- I didn't get a Winter Bonus at all this time. (8%, 11 Votes)
- It went up. (7%, 9 Votes)
Total Voters: 134
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What do you think about the DPJ's proposal to grant local voting rights to NJ Permanent Residents?
- I support it. (73%, 167 Votes)
- I oppose it. (14%, 31 Votes)
- Not sure / Don't know etc. (13%, 29 Votes)
Total Voters: 228
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What do you think about Obama's "deep bow cum handshake" with the Emperor?
- Who cares. This is a non-issue. (31%, 123 Votes)
- Suitably respectful. Ii n ja nai? (22%, 88 Votes)
- A bit clumsy, but never mind. (22%, 88 Votes)
- Embarrassing. Obama has minders to teach him formalities, no? (9%, 35 Votes)
- He has shamed America. (8%, 30 Votes)
- Appalling. World leaders should not show this much deference to any royalty. (7%, 26 Votes)
- Something else / Don't know. (1%, 3 Votes)
Total Voters: 393
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What are the TOP THREE things you think the DPJ should do policywise for NJ in Japan? (choose up to 3)
- Allowing Dual (or multiple) Nationality (55%, 186 Votes)
- Passing a law against racial discrimination (46%, 155 Votes)
- Signing the Hague Convention on Child Abductions (26%, 86 Votes)
- Allowing joint custody and visitation after divorce (18%, 62 Votes)
- Easing naturalization requirements (18%, 60 Votes)
- Easing Immigration Bureau's visa requirements (16%, 53 Votes)
- Stamping out labor abuses of Trainees, NJ workers and educators (15%, 50 Votes)
- Allowing NJ to register residency the same way as Japanese (13%, 44 Votes)
- Creating clear guidelines preventing the Japanese police from racial profiling (12%, 41 Votes)
- Creating stronger labor laws for everyone (11%, 37 Votes)
- Abolishing the "Re-Entry Permit" system (10%, 34 Votes)
- Making clear public statements praising and encouraging immigration (10%, 32 Votes)
- Granting citizenship from birth, not blood (10%, 32 Votes)
- Allowing noncitizen suffrage in local elections (7%, 24 Votes)
- Creating an Immigration Ministry to draft policies (6%, 19 Votes)
- Easing credit and loan requirements for NJ (4%, 15 Votes)
- Something other than the choices above. (3%, 10 Votes)
- Strengthening the MOJ Bureau of Human Rights (2%, 7 Votes)
- Don't know / Can't say / Don't care etc. (1%, 3 Votes)
Total Voters: 336
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What should be the DPJ's NUMBER ONE priority policy for helping NJ in Japan?
- Allowing Dual (or multiple) Nationality (31%, 80 Votes)
- Passing a law against racial discrimination (23%, 59 Votes)
- Allowing joint custody and visitation after divorce (7%, 18 Votes)
- Signing the Hague Convention on Child Abductions (4%, 11 Votes)
- Creating clear guidelines preventing the Japanese police from racial profiling (4%, 11 Votes)
- Something other than the above. (4%, 10 Votes)
- Abolishing the "Re-Entry Permit" system (4%, 10 Votes)
- Easing naturalization requirements (3%, 8 Votes)
- Don't know / Can't say / Don't care etc. (3%, 8 Votes)
- Creating stronger labor laws for everyone (3%, 8 Votes)
- Creating an Immigration Ministry to draft policies (3%, 7 Votes)
- Stamping out labor abuses of Trainees, NJ workers and educators (3%, 7 Votes)
- Making clear public statements praising and encouraging immigration (2%, 6 Votes)
- Granting citizenship from birth, not blood (2%, 5 Votes)
- Allowing NJ to register residency the same way as Japanese (2%, 4 Votes)
- Allowing noncitizen suffrage in local elections (1%, 3 Votes)
- Strengthening the MOJ Bureau of Human Rights (1%, 2 Votes)
- Easing Immigration Bureau's visa requirements (1%, 2 Votes)
- Easing credit and loan requirements for NJ (-1%, 2 Votes)
Total Voters: 262
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How do you think the new DPJ government is doing so far?
- It's too early to tell. (26%, 63 Votes)
- They talk big; we still need more action. (13%, 32 Votes)
- I think they're doing the best that anyone can. (12%, 30 Votes)
- I think they're making things worse. Bring back the LDP! (12%, 28 Votes)
- They keep surprising me with their progressive plans and policies. (10%, 25 Votes)
- Indifferent, but anything's better than the LDP. (10%, 24 Votes)
- I doubt they're anything different than the LDP. (9%, 23 Votes)
- Don't know / Can't say / Don't care etc. (8%, 18 Votes)
Total Voters: 243
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What do you think about the Savoie Child Abduction Case?
- I think father Chris was right to come to Japan and get them back. (38%, 144 Votes)
- Something else / None of the above. (23%, 87 Votes)
- I can't say decisively either way. (20%, 77 Votes)
- I think mother Noriko was right to abduct their children to Japan. (19%, 69 Votes)
Total Voters: 378
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If you were refused service at a business (say, an onsen) with an express "Japanese Only" policy, what would you do? (multiple answers OK)
- I would just say never mind and go someplace else. (26%, 65 Votes)
- I would complain to the management, then drop it. (26%, 65 Votes)
- I would notify the local city government authorities and/or MOJ Bureau of Human Rights (26%, 65 Votes)
- I would gather evidence and then go to the media to report it. (22%, 55 Votes)
- I would come back later with friends/family and make an issue of it. (16%, 40 Votes)
- Not sure/Don't know. (13%, 34 Votes)
- I would bring it up with local/national politicians. (9%, 24 Votes)
- I would take them to court. (9%, 22 Votes)
- I would call the police. (8%, 19 Votes)
- None of the above. (6%, 15 Votes)
Total Voters: 253
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If you (personally) were offered a "foreigner discount" by a store in Japan, would you take it?
- Yes, under just about any circumstances. (35%, 101 Votes)
- Depends on the spirit under which it is offered. (32%, 92 Votes)
- No, under just about any circumstances. (17%, 48 Votes)
- Not sure, undecided, or indifferent. (5%, 15 Votes)
- Depends on my mood. (5%, 14 Votes)
- Depends on the store. (2%, 7 Votes)
- None of the above. (4%, 7 Votes)
Total Voters: 285
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The DPJ has landslided in the recent election. What's your feeling about Japan's political future?
- A change in government is just what Japan needed. Full speed ahead! (43%, 73 Votes)
- Change is good, but we must look to the future with caution. (30%, 51 Votes)
- I think the DPJ is only going to make things worse. (14%, 23 Votes)
- None of the above. (6%, 10 Votes)
- I'm worried because the DPJ is a neophyte party being given the reins. (4%, 7 Votes)
- I can't say. Politics is too complicated an equation to prognosticate. (3%, 6 Votes)
Total Voters: 170
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How long do you see yourself living in Japan from now?
- Permanently (20%, 97 Votes)
- Don't currently live / have never lived in Japan (17%, 85 Votes)
- Indefinitely (13%, 66 Votes)
- Don't know / Can't say for sure (11%, 53 Votes)
- One or two more years (10%, 52 Votes)
- Three to five more years (10%, 50 Votes)
- Less than one year (9%, 47 Votes)
- At least another ten years (6%, 30 Votes)
- Until retirement (4%, 14 Votes)
Total Voters: 496
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Who would you like to see as next PM?
- Makes no difference (25%, 48 Votes)
- Someone else entirely (22%, 42 Votes)
- Somebody else from DPJ (17%, 33 Votes)
- Hatoyama (15%, 29 Votes)
- Aso (8%, 15 Votes)
- Don't care (8%, 15 Votes)
- Don't know (4%, 8 Votes)
- Somebody else from LDP (1%, 5 Votes)
Total Voters: 195
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DPJ's Ozawa has quit his party leadership post. What do you think?
- Good idea. (48%, 57 Votes)
- Don't care. (29%, 35 Votes)
- Not sure. (17%, 20 Votes)
- Bad idea. (6%, 8 Votes)
Total Voters: 120
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How do you think Japan is handling the Swine Flu issue?
- It's being blown out of proportion and will lead to people getting unfairly targeted. (40%, 121 Votes)
- The govt and media could do a little better at being a bit less panicky. (22%, 67 Votes)
- The whole thing is a fiasco worldwide. (17%, 50 Votes)
- The government is doing a good job, securing its borders properly and keeping things domestically under prudent control. (9%, 27 Votes)
- Que sera sera. (7%, 22 Votes)
- None of the above / Don't know / Don't care etc. (5%, 15 Votes)
Total Voters: 302
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What do you think about "Golden Week" in Japan? (multiple answers OK)
- I hate GW. I'd rather Japanese corporate culture loosen up so I can take my holidays when I want, not bunched together. (28%, 37 Votes)
- I'm not a fan. If everyone takes a holiday at once, rates go up and nobody really relaxes. (20%, 26 Votes)
- It's great, but the annual weekday-weekend roulette means we sometimes get long or short holidays, unreliable. (17%, 23 Votes)
- I love this holiday in Japan. Heralds the start of spring and is a welcome break. (17%, 22 Votes)
- I'm indifferent. Everywhere is crowded and travel times waste holiday time. (15%, 20 Votes)
- I use the holiday to catch up on sleep and cleaning house, etc. It's nothing special. (14%, 19 Votes)
- Bring on "Diamond Week", where the days fall so we get five weekdays and four weekends! (14%, 19 Votes)
- What holidays? I'm working regardless. (14%, 19 Votes)
- Makes no difference. The weather is still wintry and crappy where I am. (1%, 1 Votes)
- None of the above / Don't know / Don't care etc. (1%, 1 Votes)
Total Voters: 132
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Regarding GOJ security measures towards NJ, which option do you find acceptable? (Suggested by Mark in Yayoi)
- I want both systems abolished. (46%, 110 Votes)
- I would accept carrying Gaijin Card ID 24-7, if NJ border fingerprinting were abolished. (19%, 46 Votes)
- I would accept border fingerprinting of NJ, if NJ weren't forced to carry Gaijin Card ID 24-7 afterwards. (19%, 45 Votes)
- I accept the current status quo of carrying Gaijin Cards at all times and fingerprinting of NJ at the border. (11%, 27 Votes)
- None of the above / Don't know / Don't care etc. (5%, 9 Votes)
Total Voters: 237
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What do you think about the government's offer of 300,000 yen for Nikkei to go home?
- Bad. What a slap in the face after all their contributions to Japan. (47%, 107 Votes)
- I'm of mixed feelings. I see both good and bad in this policy (15%, 35 Votes)
- It's a paltry sum anyway, not going to make a difference in their lives. (9%, 21 Votes)
- Bad idea. Why only them? Why not any NJ who wants to go back? (8%, 19 Votes)
- Good for Japan. They were never here permanently anyway. (8%, 18 Votes)
- Good for them. Better than having them stuck here unemployed. (7%, 15 Votes)
- None of the above. (4%, 9 Votes)
- Don't know, don't care etc. (2%, 5 Votes)
Total Voters: 230
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What do you think of the documentary SOUR STRAWBERRIES, about Japan's hidden NJ laborers?
- Haven't seen it. But wish I could. Bring it to my area! (40%, 52 Votes)
- Saw it. It was worth seeing! (24%, 31 Votes)
- Haven't seen it. Not interested. (16%, 21 Votes)
- Don't know anything about it. Haven't been to http://www.cinemabstruso.de (16%, 21 Votes)
- Saw it. Wasn't worth seeing. (4%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 129
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The press and public polls are baying for DPJ Chief Ozawa's resignation. What do you think?
- Ozawa schmozawa. What he's accused of is standard operating practice in Japan's politics. (27%, 46 Votes)
- Smells like guilt, probably is, probably should resign. (14%, 24 Votes)
- Ozawa is innocent as charged. It's just a timed political witch hunt. (14%, 23 Votes)
- Don't know / Don't care. (13%, 22 Votes)
- Resign phooey. Ozawa is an old-school kingpin and should be arrested. (11%, 18 Votes)
- Whatever. This is going to backfire and take both the DPJ and LDP down. (8%, 13 Votes)
- I can't say for sure. What a muddy issue. (5%, 9 Votes)
- Ozawa is the only way the DPJ has a shot at power. Keep as necessarily evil. (5%, 8 Votes)
- None of the above. (3%, 5 Votes)
Total Voters: 168
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How do you feel about the new proposed registration regulations for NJ?
- Whatever. It's primary aim is still to track and police NJ. (31%, 53 Votes)
- I don't have enough information to make a decision yet. (30%, 51 Votes)
- Humph. It'll make matters worse with more centralization. (16%, 28 Votes)
- On balance, it's good news. Makes life easier. (12%, 21 Votes)
- Hurrah, about time! All good. (6%, 10 Votes)
- None of the above. (5%, 7 Votes)
Total Voters: 170
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What do you think should happen to Noriko Calderon, daughter of overstayers, born in Japan but facing deportation?
- She was born and acculturalized here, she's a Japanese. Grant her citizenship. (34%, 69 Votes)
- She should be granted full amnesty and her parents too. (18%, 37 Votes)
- She can stay, since her status is not her fault, but her parents can't. (15%, 31 Votes)
- Sorry, she can't stay. It would set a bad precedent and encourage other "birth squatters". (10%, 20 Votes)
- I'm not sure. It's a complicated issue. (9%, 19 Votes)
- Noriko's case is irrelevant. The GOJ should tighten up and kick all overstayers out. (6%, 13 Votes)
- Don't know / Can't say / Don't care etc. (3%, 7 Votes)
- None of the above. (5%, 5 Votes)
Total Voters: 201
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Is "discrimination against NJ a right for Japanese people"?
- Is this a trick question? Discrimination is a "right" for nobody. See UN treaties Japan has signed. (68%, 189 Votes)
- If there is a "right" to have it, there is an equal and opposing "right" to fight it. (10%, 28 Votes)
- I see both sides, so it's case by case. (5%, 15 Votes)
- Japanese have the right to choose who they want to associate with and have as customers. (4%, 12 Votes)
- Of course! Racism is but one way to keep a society orderly. (4%, 11 Votes)
- None of the above. (4%, 10 Votes)
- Japan is a unique culture, and who are we to force our Western ideas of "individual rights" on it? (4%, 10 Votes)
- I'm not sure what to say. It's a complicated issue. (3%, 9 Votes)
- Hey, Gaijin are guests in Japan, with no right to complain about how they're treated. (3%, 8 Votes)
- Racial discrimination is not illegal in Japan, so shikata ga nai. (3%, 8 Votes)
- We can't help but discriminate: It's no different than "differentiate", which we do daily. (3%, 7 Votes)
Total Voters: 277
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COMMENT: A little surprising were the very number ones supporting discrimination are still a substantial chunk: 17% at this writing, and a full fifth at one point.
Maybe people are just following the impulses of the “fluid morality” of Internet anonymity. Or maybe people never bought into the liberal-arts historical-lesson training, found in most multicultural, English-literate societies, that says that discrimination is just not a workable system.
But I wanted to get an inkling of just how deep the problem goes with this poll. It seems that when you combine amoralism with cultural relativity, you create a cocktail for people to say that people needn’t, even shouldn’t, be nice to one another, and that some people deserve an inferior place in a society.
Perhaps an overthink, given the probably flawed sample size and population (this blog probably attracts radical thinkers on both sides of the spectrum). But I guess one shouldn’t take the advances in the 20th Century regarding racial discrimination for granted even today.
How do you think the new Obama Presidency will fare for its first 100 days?
- It will make bold landmark Bush Admin-reversing decisions. (28%, 67 Votes)
- It will proceed with caution and appear bipartisan. (21%, 50 Votes)
- Makes no difference: The system itself is beyond redemption. (17%, 41 Votes)
- There's not much anyone can do in the first 100 days. (12%, 28 Votes)
- No idea / Can't say / Don't care. (9%, 21 Votes)
- None of the above. (7%, 17 Votes)
- It will get bogged down in minutiae. (6%, 15 Votes)
- It will get tripped up by the Right. (0%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 243
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What do you think is the most significant human rights advancement in Japan in 2008? (all issues on this blog)
- The GOJ declaring the Ainu an official indigenous people. (32%, 55 Votes)
- The Supreme Court declaring unconstitutional the patrimony acknowledgment requirement for citizenship. (27%, 46 Votes)
- The increasing international awareness of Japan as a haven for child abductions after divorce. (9%, 16 Votes)
- The successful lawsuit against Tochigi strawberry farms who underpaid and fired Chinese trainees. (6%, 11 Votes)
- Can't say / Don't know etc. (6%, 10 Votes)
- The 12,000 yen "economic stimulus" bribe opened to all NJ taxpayers. (6%, 10 Votes)
- The U Hoden Case awarding damages to a bullied Chinese-Japanese schoolgirl. (6%, 10 Votes)
- The coveted Akutagawa Book Prize going to a non-native author. (4%, 7 Votes)
- Something else / None of the above. (3%, 6 Votes)
- The successful Zainichi student complaint lodged against exclusionary Nihon U debate club. (1%, 1 Votes)
Total Voters: 172
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What do you think about the year-end holidays in Japan? (multiple answers ok)
- I love staying in Japan and enjoying a lazy New Years. (35%, 69 Votes)
- I prefer to spend these holidays outside of Japan. (29%, 57 Votes)
- I'm not a fan of this time of year. It's not Christmassy enough in Japan. (17%, 34 Votes)
- There's plenty to do here ceremonially, and I'm an active participant and consumer. (14%, 28 Votes)
- Japan's holiday period is not long enough after all the year-end rush. (12%, 23 Votes)
- I don't like the year-end anyway, anywhere in the world. (10%, 19 Votes)
- Don't know / Can't say / Never been to Japan etc. (7%, 14 Votes)
- None of the above. (7%, 13 Votes)
Total Voters: 198
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Looks like some NJ will get the 12,000 yen PM Aso "economic stimulus" dividend after all. How's that sit with you? (multiple answers OK)
- It's a waste of tax money and won't really stimulate the economy. (49%, 92 Votes)
- Not happy that NJ who are not Permanent Residents or married to Japanese don't qualify. (36%, 67 Votes)
- Great! I qualify. Show me the money! (31%, 57 Votes)
- PM Aso should give Japan a month holiday from 5% Consumption Tax instead. (19%, 35 Votes)
- Nuts. That small payout doesn't affect my bottom line positively. (15%, 27 Votes)
- Why should NJ qualify anyway? They can't vote, so who cares what they think? (11%, 20 Votes)
- I don't qualify. Bronx cheer to Aso. (10%, 19 Votes)
- Don't know / Can't say / Don't care etc. (2%, 3 Votes)
Total Voters: 186
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LDP Dietmember Kouno Taro has proposed to the Diet that Japan allow Dual Nationality. Do you agree?
- Should go farther. Anybody, including people who naturalize into Japan, even Zainichi with North Korean roots, should qualify for dual. (56%, 141 Votes)
- Actually, I think Kouno Taro's proposal with caveats (see blog entry) has it about right. (30%, 75 Votes)
- No, dual nationality is a bad idea. Keep things as they are. (11%, 27 Votes)
- Indifferent, don't know, can't say etc. (3%, 11 Votes)
Total Voters: 254
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Which version of the latest Japan Times JUST BE CAUSE Column on "Truth Octane" do you prefer? (read both in blog entry below)
- Neither (52%, 34 Votes)
- Rewritten published version (28%, 18 Votes)
- Both / It's a tie (12%, 8 Votes)
- Don't know / Can't say (5%, 3 Votes)
- Original unpublished version (3%, 2 Votes)
Total Voters: 65
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Who do you think is going to win the US Presidency?
- Barack Obama (80%, 131 Votes)
- John McCain (10%, 16 Votes)
- Don't care (8%, 13 Votes)
- Someone else (er, yeah, right) (2%, 3 Votes)
- Don't know (0%, 1 Votes)
Total Voters: 164
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Time for a silly poll. Debito's grown a beard. (See photo in blog entry "Silly Beard Poll".) How do you like it?
- Keep it! (40%, 60 Votes)
- Shave it. (36%, 55 Votes)
- Not gonna answer, nyah. (14%, 21 Votes)
- Indifferent. (10%, 15 Votes)
Total Voters: 151
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COMMENT: Phew, that was a close shave!
The Asahi (Oct 5) had a cartoon depicting NJ "discrimination in Japan". Which, if any, of the items depicted have you personally experienced?
- Having people not sit by/move away from you on public transportation (68%, 140 Votes)
- Being denied a rental contract/apartment for being NJ (40%, 81 Votes)
- Lack of promotion/advancement in your workplace for being NJ (33%, 67 Votes)
- Being stopped and repeatedly questioned on the street by police (28%, 58 Votes)
- Your children being bullied and called "gaijin" (12%, 25 Votes)
- Having someone complain (to your employer etc.) for looking scary as a NJ walking down the street at night (sic) (9%, 19 Votes)
- None of the above things have actually happened to me as a NJ. (7%, 14 Votes)
- I don't consider some, or any, of these things to be discriminatory anyway. (6%, 12 Votes)
- Don't know/Can't answer (3%, 7 Votes)
- I am not, or don't look like, a NJ, so I can't comment from personal experience. (2%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 205
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Brief Comment: I was, frankly, a tad surprised that nineteen respondents actually had people “complaining to their employer etc for looking scary”; I had thought that option was a bit contrived, guess I was wrong. Not to mention the lack of employment promotion (a third of all respondents) and being repeatedly questioned by police (close to a third). Not all that surprised, however, that the majority (more than two thirds) found people keeping their distance from them on public transportation, or that nearly a majority (two fifths) had apartment troubles. A shame, though, isn’t it.
Terms describing people in any language can be controversial. In your opinion, which ones, if any, of these words still in common use do you think are offensive and should be obsolesced over time?
- Gaijin (62%, 143 Votes)
- Haafu (44%, 101 Votes)
- Sangokukjin (34%, 78 Votes)
- Gaikokujin (25%, 58 Votes)
- Shina (24%, 56 Votes)
- I don't find any of the above words offensive. (18%, 42 Votes)
- Shintai shougaisha (13%, 31 Votes)
- Can't answer. (5%, 11 Votes)
Total Voters: 230
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Brief commentary here.
Welcome back from summer holidays (if you took any). In your opinion, where is the best place in Japan to vacation (regardless of season)?
- Okinawa (21%, 31 Votes)
- Hokkaido (20%, 30 Votes)
- I've never vacationed in Japan. (15%, 22 Votes)
- Kansai/Kinki Area (13%, 19 Votes)
- Kyushu (11%, 16 Votes)
- Kanto Area (7%, 10 Votes)
- Tohoku Area (6%, 9 Votes)
- Environs around Nagoya Area (3%, 4 Votes)
- Shikoku (3%, 4 Votes)
- Chuugoku Area (2%, 3 Votes)
- Hokuriku Area (-1%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 148
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Brief Comment: Interesting how the far north and south jockeyed with one another throughout this polling period (with Okinawa just edging out Hokkaido by the end). Poor Hokuriku didn’t get a single vote. A significant number of answers were also from people who had never vacationed in Japan! Give it a try, if you haven’t! Provided you have money and can speak the language (and very often even if not), Japan is a surprisingly easy country to get around!
What do you think should be the next move for the Diet after PM Fukuda's resignation?
- It makes not a damn bit of difference either way, given what goes on in J politics. (40%, 79 Votes)
- The Diet should be dissolved and a general election called ASAP. (31%, 61 Votes)
- I can't vote, so I consider what I think as irrelevant. (19%, 37 Votes)
- The LDP should not dissolve the Diet and just hold an in-party election for a new PM. (8%, 15 Votes)
- Don't know / Don't give a damn about J politics. (2%, 6 Votes)
Total Voters: 198
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Do you wish Japan would institute "Summer Time" (i.e. Daylight Savings Time) and shift the clocks an hour twice a year?
- Yes. What a waste of daylight every summer. (60%, 104 Votes)
- No. It's not worth the trouble. (25%, 43 Votes)
- Indifferent. Life will go on either way. (12%, 21 Votes)
- Can't comment/No opinion. (3%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 172
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Do you think the word "gaijin" should be avoided (in favor of other words, like, say, gaikokujin)?
- Yes. "Gaijin" has undesirable connotations. Period. (42%, 149 Votes)
- Maybe, but it depends on whether the speaker is being derisive. (26%, 92 Votes)
- No. The word "gaijin" is harmless. (25%, 90 Votes)
- Maybe, but it depends on whether the listener finds it distasteful. (6%, 21 Votes)
- Not sure/Can't answer/Wot's "gaijin"? (1%, 6 Votes)
Total Voters: 358
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Brief commentary here.
Would you choose Japan as your permanent residence?
- Probably. I like it here in general. (31%, 79 Votes)
- Probably not. For me, this place has more downs than ups. (20%, 52 Votes)
- Absolutely. I would choose no other society. (14%, 37 Votes)
- Indifferent. There are plenty of other countries out there. (13%, 34 Votes)
- Absolutely not. This is not the place for me. (12%, 31 Votes)
- Can't say yet. I haven't been here long enough. (5%, 14 Votes)
- Huh? I haven't even been outside my home country yet! (5%, 9 Votes)
Total Voters: 256
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Brief commentary here.
In your opinion, is Japan an easy place to work?
- On balance, Japan is a difficult place to work. (25%, 56 Votes)
- No, Japan is a very difficult place to work. (24%, 55 Votes)
- On balance, Japan is an easy place to work. (20%, 46 Votes)
- I can't say either way. (12%, 27 Votes)
- Yes, Japan is a very easy place to work. (11%, 24 Votes)
- I've never worked in Japan. (8%, 19 Votes)
Total Voters: 227
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Brief commentary here.
In your opinion, is Japan an easy place to live?
- On balance, Japan is an easy place to live. (48%, 71 Votes)
- On balance, Japan is a difficult place to live. (16%, 23 Votes)
- Japan is a very easy place to live. (13%, 19 Votes)
- Japan is a very difficult place to live. (10%, 15 Votes)
- I'm indifferent either way. (10%, 14 Votes)
- I don't live in Japan. (3%, 5 Votes)
Total Voters: 147
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March 18th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Hello Arudou-san,
I enjoy reading your website and just stumbled upon the poll. I’m American living in Japan for a little over two years now, and yours was one of the first websites I scoured before deciding to move here. I just secured permanent residency so will be here for a while.
Keep up the excellent work!
Best regards,
Mason
– Thanks Mason! I hope the the site serves!
May 31st, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Isn’t it time for a new poll?
– Sure. Tell me what you’d like polled?
June 1st, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Who has it worse, visible or invisible minorities living in Japan?
– Need definitions of the two.
June 17th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I would say anyone who does not appear to be Japanese, by Japanese standards, is treated like a visible minority whereas someone who is “possibly” but not Japanese, save their appearance, is an invisible minority. The former would be someone like you or me, other Europeans, Americans, South Asians, and/or Africans living in Japan. Could you use this for a poll?
June 17th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
mason did well to get PR in 2 yrs!
congrats..
July 7th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Hi Debito,
What happened to the polls?
Chris.
– Frustrating story. I downloaded the latest version of WordPress a few weeks ago (as was advised by WordPress) and it somehow voided all my polling functions. So I deactivated the Polls widget until WordPress actually sends me a new version that fixes that issue. Damn nuisance, as this WP version also has no WYSIWYG functions either. Sorry. Please wait.
October 31st, 2009 at 11:55 am
Just a comment from someone who worked in online market research for two years. Such polls are significantly biased towards the top entries in the list, especially the first one. In all of the online polls we conducted, we had to randomize the order of the listing for each person who took the survey. I’d recommend doing that if it’s possible to easily implement in your polling system.