TOKYO, Jan 16 Most Japanese oppose rising military spending in principle and against the fact that their growth is ensured by raising taxes, such data were published by the Yomiuri newspaper on Monday following the results of a public opinion poll.
When asked «Do you support an increase in defense spending from 27.5 trillion yen (213 billion dollars) in five years to 43 trillion yen (333 billion dollars) in five years,» 49% answered negatively, 43% — positively, 8% refrained from answering. It is noteworthy that in the November poll, 68% were in favor of strengthening the country's defense capability.
Even more contrasting was the answer to the question of supporting the growth of defense spending through higher taxes as a source to fill the shortfall of 1 trillion yen (7.7 billion dollars) for this purpose. At the same time, the publication notes that even in the category that supported the growth of military spending, 40% are against the fact that they are replenished by increasing taxes.
The survey was conducted on January 13-15 by the method of random computer sampling by telephone among 1072 people over 18 years old.