Japanese General Social Survey (JGSS), 2005

This survey was designed to solicit political,
sociological, and economic information from people living in
Japan. The data were collected between August 25 and November 23,
2005, using face-to-face interviews and self-administered
questionnaires. Respondents were asked to give employment information
for themselves and their spouses, including industry, size of
employer, number of hours worked, level of job satisfaction, and time
spent commuting. Respondents were also queried regarding employment
information and education level of their parents when the respondent
was aged 15. Several questions were asked about household composition,
the type of residence, the state of respondents' finances during the
last few years and compared to other Japanese families both past and
present, sources of financial support, the ease of improving one's
standard of living in Japan, and the use of credit cards and consumer
financing. Views were also sought on divorce, the roles of each
spouse, issues involving children, the responsibility of the
government, and taxation issues. In terms of health, questions were
asked regarding the physical and mental health of respondents and
their household members, the frequency of smoking and alcohol
consumption, and their views on genetically modified foods. Quality of
life questions addressed the amount of satisfaction respondents
received from life, and how often they participated in sports,
leisure, and volunteer activities. Additional topics covered were
euthanasia, the use of technology, juvenile delinquency, car ownership
and usage, their level of trust in various institutions, and whether
respondents belonged to religious, trade, or social service
organizations. Demographic variables include age, sex, education
level, employment status, occupation, labor union membership, marital
status, type of residential area (e.g., urban or rural), household
income, perceived social status, political orientation, political
party affiliation, and religious affiliation.