After growing steadily for 2 decades, Japanese confidence about their nation's global standing in science and technology is in a bit of a slump, according to the latest in a series of public opinion surveys conducted by the Institute of Statistical Mathematics in Tokyo. The response to this item--just one among dozens in the survey--is in line with surveys of business leaders, researchers, and policy- makers, according to Nobuhiro Muroya, deputy director of planning and evaluation for Japan's Science and Technology Agency. With the economy in the doldrums for most of the '90s, citizens are no longer so sure their country is in the front ranks internationally.
This loss of confidence is reflected in Japanese feelings about their own lives. This year 28% said their living standards had improved over the last decade--compared to 49% in 1983.
PERCENTAGES OF RESPONDENTS RANKING
JAPAN'S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY |
|---|
| Extremely high | Relatively high | Relatively low | Extremely low+ |
| 1973 | 33 | 49 | 6 | 2 |
| 1978 | 37 | 48 | 5 | 1 |
| 1983* |
| 1988 | 43 | 45 | 4 | 1 |
| 1993 | 46 | 43 | 3 | 0 |
| 1998 | 24 | 57 | 10 | 1 |
* The 1983 survey didn't include the item.
+ The remaining percentages were "other" and "don't know."
