Latent Class Analysis of Japanese Perceptions on “Decarbonization”

Abstract

To understand Japanese perceptions of decarbonization, we conducted a survey addressing five points: 1) Is decarbonization a crucial issue? 2) Is it excessive? 3) Is it impossible? 4) Will it make life harder? (5) Will it enrich life? Responses were categorized as positive, negative, or " unsure/neutral " and analyzed using latent class analysis. The results showed that about 30% of respondents supported or were skeptical of decarbonization, while 48.3% viewed it merely as an issue, and 12.8% were indifferent. This trend was consistent even among Gen Z, known for high environmental awareness. These findings suggest that a concrete understanding and discussion of decarbonization have yet to deepen in Japan.