日本民意對「１８歳有選挙権」有分歧

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

「１８歳選挙権」賛否が拮抗…読売世論調査

2014年07月04日 22時29分

 　読売新聞社は６月２８～２９日、全国世論調査（面接方式）を実施した。

　国政選挙などで投票できる年齢を、現在の２０歳から１８歳に引き下げることに「賛成」と答えた人は４８％で、「反対」の４５％と拮抗(きっこう)した。６月成立の改正国民投票法の付則には、選挙権年齢の１８歳への引き下げを検討する方針が明記されたが、国民の意見は割れている。

　賛成と答えた人に、理由を二つまで挙げてもらったところ、「引き下げによって社会の一員としての自覚を促せる」５４％が最も多く、「少子高齢化の中でより多くの若者の意見を政治に反映できる」４８％、「十分な判断力がある」２９％、「すでに働いている人がいる」２７％、「多くの国で１８歳から投票できる」１１％が続いた。

　反対する人の理由（二つまで）は、トップが「まだ十分な判断力がない」７２％で、「引き下げても投票に行く若者が増えるとは思えない」４３％、「働いている人は少ない」２２％、「民法が定める成人年齢が２０歳のまま、引き下げるべきでない」１９％、「２０歳からの投票が定着している」１２％の順だった。

　改正国民投票法の成立で、憲法改正の国民投票の投票年齢が４年後に１８歳に引き下げられることについても、「評価する」４８％、「評価しない」４４％と意見が分かれた。

　民法が定める成人年齢の１８歳への引き下げについては、「反対」５９％が「賛成」３５％を大きく上回った。２００８年４月調査の反対５９％、賛成３６％とほとんど変化はなく、国民に慎重論が根強いことを示している。

(試譯文)

     The Yomiuri Shimbun carried out a national opinion poll (by interview) on June 28 - 29th.

     The people who answered "support" in lowering of the age to 18-year-old from the present 20-year-old for those who could vote in the national election etc. was 48%, against the 45% "oppose". Although the additional rule under the amended national referendum law enacted in June had specified a plan to examine the lowering of suffrage age to 18 years old, people's opinions were divided.

     In mentioning two reasons, among the people who answered they agreed, in majority 54% said that "the lowing can promote the consciousness as social a member", 48% mentioned "more young men's opinion can be reflected in politics amid low birthrate and longevity", 29% said "they had sufficient judgment", 27% "they were already at work", and 11% said "18 years old can vote in many countries" and so on.

     The reasons (up to two) for those who opposed to it, starting from the top were: 72% "still without sufficient judgment", 43% "even if lowered, the number of young men who would go to cast votes will not increase", 22% "not many of them are working", 19% "should not be reduced because the adulthood age as defined by the Civil Code is 20 years old", and 12% "it is established that voting starts from 20 years old", following the order.

     Regarding the enactment to revise the national referendum law that, within four years, to lower voting age to 18 years old for national referendum in amending the constitution, 48% "to evaluate", 44% "no comments". The opinions were divided.

     About the lowering to 18 years old as the adulthood age to be defined in the Civil Code, 59% "oppose", exceeding the 35% "support" by far. Comparing to an investigation in April 2008 with 59% opposes and 36% in support, there were no obvious changes, showing that people’s cautious view was deep-seated.

This national opinion poll shows that in voting, the opinion of the Japanese is conservative.