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5.
Survey: Govt should provide health, medical aid
More than half those polled in a government survey believe the government should step up health and medical assistance to developing countries despite the tight fiscal situation.
The Cabinet Office surveyed 3,000 Japanese men and women aged 20 or older last month about their views on foreign aid. Sixty-five percent, or 1,942 people, responded.
Asked what the priority areas for government aid should be, 73 percent of the respondents cited health and medicine, including efforts in disease prevention and treatment.
Sixty-eight percent said Japan should assist in building water and sewage systems, followed by 55 percent opting for education support.
Among those who see health and medicine as the most important area, 75 percent explained that this kind of assistance relates directly to life and death of people in the aid-recipient country.
Fifty-six percent said outbreaks of influenza and other infectious diseases in other countries could affect Japan.
Only 15 percent cited benefits for Japan's diplomacy and 14 percent said foreign aid would improve the country's image.
Fifty-eight percent said the government should increase spending on health and medical assistance, while 28 percent said it should be reduced.
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