A woman receives a COVID-19 vaccination at a mass vaccination center operated by the Self-Defense Forces, after the target age for inoculations was lowered, at the Otemachi joint government building No. 3 in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on June 17, 2021. (Mainichi/Yohei Koide)

       TOKYO -- A nationwide public opinion poll conducted on Aug. 28 found that 64% of those surveyed think that the coronavirus state of emergency issued by the Japanese government is not effective, as eight prefectures were added to the list of those under a state of emergency the previous day, bringing the total to 21 prefectures out of 47 nationwide.

       The survey was conducted Aug. 28 by the Mainichi Shimbun and the Social Survey Research Center. Asked whether the national government's state of emergency declaration is effective in curbing the spread of coronavirus infections, only 16% responded that they "think it is effective," while 20% said they could not say either way.

       As for the reason behind the spread of the coronavirus, 46% answered that "administrative bodies are greatly responsible," up 6 percentage points from the survey conducted Jan. 16. Meanwhile, 32% said that "those who do not obey anti-infection measures are at fault," up from the 30% in the January poll, while 21% said that "it can't be helped as it is a new virus strain," down 8 points from the January poll. These results suggest that criticism against administrative authorities has risen in regard to the spread of infections.

       As for COVID-19 vaccinations, 59% said they had already received both shots, while 13% said they'd received one. Eleven percent of those polled said they made a reservation, but had not yet been inoculated, while 7% answered that they had been unable to arrange an appointment. In addition, 5% said they were not sure whether they would receive a vaccine or not, while 4% claimed they had no intention of being vaccinated. By age group, over 90% among those 70 and older answered they were vaccinated twice, while nearly half of individuals aged 39 or younger had not received their first shot.

       Among respondents who said they received the second round of their vaccine shots, 28% said that they support the Suga Cabinet, indicating no great difference from the overall approval rating. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has explained that a system will be arranged so that 80% of all members of the Japanese public will be able to receive both vaccine shots by early October.

       (Japanese original by Nanae Ito, Political News Department)

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