Poll Shows Japanese 'Unaware Of Nuclear Significance In Reducing Carbon'
Written by NucNet
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
NucNet News No. 57
15 Jul (NucNet): A new opinion poll indicates that the majority of
Japanese believe nuclear energy to be of least importance in achieving
a low-carbon society.
When given several choices about what they felt was important in achieving a low-carbon society, 'nuclear generation' was the least popular choice of respondents.
The Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF) said yesterday that the poll "clearly shows the significance of nuclear generation has not yet penetrated the public consciousness".
However, JAIF said the need to achieve a low-carbon society in Japan was "overwhelmingly" accepted by respondents (59.3 percent agreed, while 30.8 percent said "probably" and only 4.2 percent disagreed). The results of the survey assessing public opinion about a low-carbon society were released by the Cabinet Office on 3 July 2008*.
Asked what they thought were important activities toward achieving a low carbon-society, with multiple answers permitted, respondents placed 'nuclear generation' last (15.9 percent).
The most popular choices by respondents included:
'Energy-saving appliances and houses and environmentally-friendly cars' (68.4 percent);
'Reduced use of plastic shopping bags and the more effective use of resources, including recycling' (65.9 percent);
'Using natural energies including solar and wind power' (61.5 percent);
'Forest preservation' (59.7 percent);
'Reducing wastage of water, lighting and heating' (58.4 percent);
'Innovative technological development' such as solar and fuel cells (41 percent).
The poll reflects the findings announced in December 2005 of a survey carried out in 18 countries on behalf of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). That survey, 'Global Public Opinion on Nuclear Issues and the IAEA' showed the climate change argument increased support for nuclear power in 14 out of 18 countries.
*In the Japan poll, face-to-face interviews were conducted with some 3,000 respondents aged 20 and over with valid responses from 1,837 interviewees (61.2 percent). The survey was conducted at the end of May 2008.
- by John Shepherd
Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Climate Change Argument 'Increases Support For Nuclear Energy' (News No. 193, 15 December 2005)
G8 Summit Gives 'Fresh Resolve' To Expand Japan's Nuclear Industry (World Nuclear Review No. 26, 11 July 2008)
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