73.9% of Japanese "Satisfied/Generally Satisfied" with Current Lifestyle Says Public Opinion Survey

According to the Public Opinion Survey Concerning People's Lifestyles compiled by the Cabinet Office released on August 26, 73.9% of the responders are totally and generally pleased with the current lifestyle - the highest ratio since the survey started in 1963.

The survey was made over the period of June-July this year quizzing over 10,000 people above age 18 across the nation,  6319 or 63.2% of whom responded.

The survey revealed both "satisfied" and " generally satisfied" put together accounted for the record high 73.9%. As regards income/revenue, 51.3% responded "satisfied" while 46.9% "not satisfied" - the former outnumbering the latter for the first time in 21 years since 1996.

Asked about "how to spend extra leisure hours", 47% preferred traveling (multiple answered allowed) across all the age brackets and 34.8% picked hobbies and leisures.
In multiple answered allowed on future government policies, social security (medicare, pension etc.) topped for five years in a row with 65.1% followed by business stimulus measures 51.1 % (-5.1% of last year), defense/national security 36.2% (+4.3%), etc.

The cabinet officials elaborate:

"The satisfaction percentage has risen this time probably due to the effect of a gradual upward trend in business environment witnessed for some while.

"The defense security issue has come to draw a closer attention obviously for the recent behaviors of North Korea."

Public Opinion Survey Concerning People's Lifestyles by the Cabinet Office is a basically annual event to track down public awareness. On several occasions, the cabinet office has highlighted specific current issues as in 2011 when the question of numbering system called for a survey. In 1974, 1975 and 1976, the survey was made twice annually, whereas in 1999 and 2000 none conducted. (Nathan Shiga) 

Source: NHK