Nhk Poll: Over 40% Think Constitutional Rights Curtailed Amid Pandemic
An NHK poll has shown that more than 40 percent of Japanese think that their Constitutionally-guaranteed freedom and rights have been undermined during the coronavirus pandemic.
NHK conducted the survey in mid-April, ahead of the 75th anniversary of Japan's post-war Constitution on May 3. The random phone survey targeted nearly 3,000 adults. Around half of them responded.
Results show that 42 percent think the pandemic has undermined their Constitutional freedom and rights to a certain degree or more. That's up four points from last year's survey.
Fifty percent said they did not think so, down five points.
Among the respondents who thought their freedom and rights were affected, 28 percent said it was due to restrictions on the freedom of movement and business operations.
Twenty-six percent said some people were unable to maintain even the minimum standard of living, while 22 percent said some people could not receive necessary medical care. Twenty percent cited discrimination and prejudice related to COVID-19.