Analysis of Citizens' Priorities over Sustainable Development Goals in Japan: Evidence from a Questionnaire Survey

摘要

Discussions on the Post-2015 Development Agenda preceding the conclusion of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in September 2015 have included the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in order to cover broader sustainability issues suitable for both developed and developing countries. While there is growing interest in negotiations among policymakers surrounding 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, research efforts for understanding what citizens in different parts of the world really seek in life have been limited to a few prominent initiatives such as MY World 2015. Based on an analysis of a survey study (n= 1,855), this study attempted to highlight citizens' needs and interests in Japan among key MDGs/SDGs under discussion at the international level. This study was designed to compare priorities among citizens over 15 years of age in Japan in 25 social areas, including the environment, employment, health and safety as well as more specific issues in the particular area of sustainability. The results of the study indicate that the issues with higher priority among Japanese citizens differ greatly from those originally perceived and addressed under the MDGs. There is relatively stronger interest in environmental issues and social resilience than in poverty or access to primary health care and safe water drinking in Japan. Regarding environmental issues, another noteworthy finding is that there is higher interest in global or regional environmental issues such as climate change and air pollution than in local environmental issues, such as waste management and soil contamination, that may impact directly upon people's daily lives. The results of the study suggest a need for additional processes and mechanisms to integrate local needs and interests beyond the one-size-fits-all approach. In the post-2015 period, local and regional goal setting may be required to meet specific local conditions, while it may also be necessary to introduce monitoring efforts to ensure consistency between global and local goals in the new period.