conduct reforms" (In December 2011 39.7% of the
pollees gave such an answer), and 25.4% said that they just do not believe it (19.3%
These developments have made companies less optimistic about the future course of the economy, the
pollees said.
The ratio of
pollees noting concern about employment among
pollees themselves and their relatives rose to 66.9% from 64.1%, a reflection of the tight labor market signified by the difficulties new graduates have finding jobs.
Forty-six percent of
pollees hope the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan will win the next general election while 33 percent hope for a victory by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the Mainichi Shimbun reported Sunday.
Current Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai is now on top, preferred by 35.3% of the
pollees.
In construction, about 80 percent of total
pollees foresee a halt in hirings and the positive balance of answers decreased six times, nearing the nil value.Respondents in both sectors under review expect industrial producer prices to remain broadly unchanged.
However, 45 percent of the Asahi
pollees disapproved of the party's handling of pension-related problems.
Investment is expected to remain unchanged against the previous month both in the industrial sector (where the balance of answers stood further close to nil) and in the construction sector, consistent with the opinions of almost 86 percent of the
pollees. In month-on-month comparison, a largely flat profitability ratio is estimated for industry, but in construction the economic performance might improve somewhat, as the balance of answers rose to +9 percent.
Asked if the Abe Cabinet is strong or undependable, 67 percent of the
pollees answered ''undependable.'' Why are so many people now viewing Abe as an undependable leader?
According to a Yomiuri Shimbun poll conducted earlier this month, 68 percent of
pollees said the activities by members of the Self-Defense Forces ''contributed'' to the reconstruction of Iraq, compared with 28 percent who said they ''made no contribution.'' Gradually, the public are backing the activities of the SDF.