* This is an English translation of the Japanese original released on July 5, 2004.

August 31, 2004
Public Relations Department
Bank of Japan

Click on ron0408b.pdf (144KB) to download the full text.

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I. Introduction

The Bank of Japan, through public relations activities conducted at its Head Office and branches, has been seeking to determine the concerns of a broad cross-section of the general public relative to its policy and operations. An example of such action is the Bank's Opinion Survey on the General Public's Mindset and Behavior, conducted since 1993 with a nationwide sample of 4,000 individuals who are at least 20 years of age. This survey is essentially an opinion poll designed to gain insight into the public's perceptions and actions, and therefore differs in character from the Bank's Tankan (Short-Term Economic Survey of Enterprises in Japan), which is conducted separately from this survey.

Starting with the previous survey conducted in March 2004 and released in April, the Bank began conducting the survey quarterly instead of semiannually. New questions regarding prices¹ have been added starting with the last survey, which asked respondents to put a specific figure on (1) what percent the prices have changed compared with one year ago and (2) what percent the prices will change in one year and over the next five years. In addition, questions regarding the degree of interest in as well as the Bank's image and credibility of the Bank, have been added from this survey. Note: 1. Defined as "overall prices of goods and services the respondents purchase."

II. Survey Outline

Survey period:	From June 4 to June 14, 2004.
Sample size:	4,000 people (2,890 people [i.e., 72.3 percent of the overall sample size] provided valid responses to questions).
Survey sample participants:	Individuals living in Japan who are at least 20 years of age.
Survey method:	Stratified two-stage random sampling method.
Survey methodology:	Questionnaire survey. (Researchers visit sample individuals, ask them to complete the questionnaire within a prescribed period, and then collect the finished questionnaires upon subsequent visits.)