Japan Poll: Majority of Public Prioritizes Livelihood Issues, Constitutional Amendment Low Priority
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reiterated her desire to promote constitutional amendment, but an NHK poll showed that while 38% believe amendment is necessary, 52% of respondents think the Diet should prioritize issues other than the constitution, indicating low public priority for amendment.
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- 📰 Published: May 3, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 3, 2026 at 23:31 (31 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 3, 2026 at 23:34 (3 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Dai Yazhen, Tokyo, 3rd) Today is Japan's Constitution Memorial Day. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reiterated that "the Constitution should be regularly updated according to the needs of the times," showing her intention to promote constitutional amendment. However, an NHK poll revealed that although the proportion of those who believe "constitutional amendment is necessary" (38%) was higher than those who believe "it is not necessary" (20%), more than half (52%) of the interviewed public believe that the Diet should prioritize issues other than the Constitution.
According to a Kyodo News report, Takaichi, who is currently on an overseas visit, addressed a pro-constitutional amendment rally via video, stating that 79 years have passed since the Constitution came into effect. Today, the security environment, technological development speed, and demographic structure are all vastly different from back then. She advocated that "the Constitution is the foundation of the nation, and therefore should be regularly updated according to the needs of the times."
She emphasized that constitutional amendment requires full discussion in the Diet and the collation of opinions before a conclusion is reached. This is a principle of democracy and a political responsibility. However, it must ultimately be approved by a national referendum. The Liberal Democratic Party will strengthen its explanation to the public and seek cooperation from various parties, stressing that "amending the constitution independently by the Japanese themselves is the basic policy of the Liberal Democratic Party."
However, the NHK poll released on the same day pointed out that 52% of respondents believe the Diet "should prioritize issues other than the Constitution," while only 24% believe "constitutional amendment should be discussed first." Another 14% believe "there is no need to discuss constitutional amendment." Regarding the necessity of amending the current Constitution, "in favor" and "wait and see" were both 38%, while 20% believed "it is not necessary."
Among them, opinions on Article 9 of the Constitution, one of the core contentious issues, are even more divided. The main contents of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution include the renunciation of war, the non-maintenance of military forces, and the non-recognition of the right of belligerency, thus calling this Constitution a "Peace Constitution." The survey showed that 33% of respondents believe it is necessary to amend it, 31% believe it is not necessary, and another 31% find it difficult to decide. Most supporters of amendment advocate for explicitly stating the status of the Self-Defense Forces in the Constitution (61%), while opponents primarily cite "maintaining the spirit of the Peace Constitution" as their main reason (58%).
However, the public's understanding of the Constitution is relatively limited. Only 4% of respondents said they "understand very well," 36% rated themselves as "generally understand," 47% admitted they "don't understand very well," and 12% admitted they "don't understand at all."
Regarding the reflection of public opinion, Professor Takeshi Inoue of Kansai Gakuin University, who supports promoting constitutional amendment discussions, analyzed that the deterioration of the international situation, causing public anxiety about Japan's defense capabilities, may be one reason why a certain proportion of the public believes constitutional amendment is necessary.
He stated that, despite this background, more than half of the interviewed public believe that the Diet "should prioritize other issues" possibly because Japan has never actually amended its Constitution, and the public lacks experience. Therefore, the government needs to clearly explain the necessity and actual impact of constitutional amendment.
In contrast, Professor Miho Aoi of Gakushuin University, who opposes constitutional amendment at this stage, pointed out that although some opinions suggest that "the time for constitutional amendment is ripe," they have not specifically explained what problems the Constitution actually has or how they intend to amend it. Many people do not understand the Constitution itself. Coupled with livelihood issues such as rising prices being closer to people's lives, the priority of constitutional amendment is relatively reduced.
She believes that whether it is law or other systems, changes require reasons. Promoting constitutional amendment without fully explaining what changes will occur after amendment and how they will relate to people's lives is inappropriate.
NHK conducted a public opinion survey for three consecutive days starting April 3rd, targeting people aged 18 and over nationwide, using random dialing to landlines and mobile phones. The survey targeted 3476 people, of whom 1248 responded, with a response rate of 35.9%. (Edited by Tian Ruihua) 1150503
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(Central News Agency reporter Dai Yazhen, Tokyo, 3rd) Today is Japan's Constitution Memorial Day. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reiterated that "the Constitution should be regularly updated according to the needs of the times," showing her intention to promote constitutional amendment. However, an NHK poll revealed that although the proportion of those who believe "constitutional amendment is necessary" (38%) was higher than those who believe "it is not necessary" (20%), more than half (52%) of the interviewed public believe that the Diet should prioritize issues other than the Constitution.
According to a Kyodo News report, Takaichi, who is currently on an overseas visit, addressed a pro-constitutional amendment rally via video, stating that 79 years have passed since the Constitution came into effect. Today, the security environment, technological development speed, and demographic structure are all vastly different from back then. She advocated that "the Constitution is the foundation of the nation, and therefore should be regularly updated according to the needs of the times."
She emphasized that constitutional amendment requires full discussion in the Diet and the collation of opinions before a conclusion is reached. This is a principle of democracy and a political responsibility. However, it must ultimately be approved by a national referendum. The Liberal Democratic Party will strengthen its explanation to the public and seek cooperation from various parties, stressing that "amending the constitution independently by the Japanese themselves is the basic policy of the Liberal Democratic Party."
However, the NHK poll released on the same day pointed out that 52% of respondents believe the Diet "should prioritize issues other than the Constitution," while only 24% believe "constitutional amendment should be discussed first." Another 14% believe "there is no need to discuss constitutional amendment." Regarding the necessity of amending the current Constitution, "in favor" and "wait and see" were both 38%, while 20% believed "it is not necessary."
Among them, opinions on Article 9 of the Constitution, one of the core contentious issues, are even more divided. The main contents of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution include the renunciation of war, the non-maintenance of military forces, and the non-recognition of the right of belligerency, thus calling this Constitution a "Peace Constitution." The survey showed that 33% of respondents believe it is necessary to amend it, 31% believe it is not necessary, and another 31% find it difficult to decide. Most supporters of amendment advocate for explicitly stating the status of the Self-Defense Forces in the Constitution (61%), while opponents primarily cite "maintaining the spirit of the Peace Constitution" as their main reason (58%).
However, the public's understanding of the Constitution is relatively limited. Only 4% of respondents said they "understand very well," 36% rated themselves as "generally understand," 47% admitted they "don't understand very well," and 12% admitted they "don't understand at all."
Regarding the reflection of public opinion, Professor Takeshi Inoue of Kansai Gakuin University, who supports promoting constitutional amendment discussions, analyzed that the deterioration of the international situation, causing public anxiety about Japan's defense capabilities, may be one reason why a certain proportion of the public believes constitutional amendment is necessary.
He stated that, despite this background, more than half of the interviewed public believe that the Diet "should prioritize other issues" possibly because Japan has never actually amended its Constitution, and the public lacks experience. Therefore, the government needs to clearly explain the necessity and actual impact of constitutional amendment.
In contrast, Professor Miho Aoi of Gakushuin University, who opposes constitutional amendment at this stage, pointed out that although some opinions suggest that "the time for constitutional amendment is ripe," they have not specifically explained what problems the Constitution actually has or how they intend to amend it. Many people do not understand the Constitution itself. Coupled with livelihood issues such as rising prices being closer to people's lives, the priority of constitutional amendment is relatively reduced.
She believes that whether it is law or other systems, changes require reasons. Promoting constitutional amendment without fully explaining what changes will occur after amendment and how they will relate to people's lives is inappropriate.
NHK conducted a public opinion survey for three consecutive days starting April 3rd, targeting people aged 18 and over nationwide, using random dialing to landlines and mobile phones. The survey targeted 3476 people, of whom 1248 responded, with a response rate of 35.9%. (Edited by Tian Ruihua) 1150503
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to get the latest news in real-time.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.