---
title: "Most in Japan Disapprove of Government’s Recovery Efforts"
description: "One year after parts of their country were devastated by an earthquake and a tsunami, most Japanese disapprove of the government’s response to the crisis."
date: "2012-06-12"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2012/06/12/most-in-japan-disapprove-of-governments-recovery-efforts/"
---

# Most in Japan Disapprove of Government’s Recovery Efforts

The Japanese public is clearly dissatisfied with how their government has responded to the March 2011 crisis. Six-in-ten say they disapprove of how Tokyo has handled the overall recovery from the earthquake and tsunami; only 37% voice approval.

Japanese citizens are especially frustrated with the government’s handling of the situation at the heavily-damaged Fukushima Daichi nuclear plant: 80% disapprove of Tokyo’s response, while just 17% approve.

Dissatisfaction with the government’s approach has grown since last spring, when reports first surfaced concerning radiation leaks at Fukushima. Then, a quarter approved of the government’s actions and 69% disapproved. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2012/06/05/japanese-wary-of-nuclear-energy/)