The Self-Defense Forces made a good impression on some 91.7 percent of the public after the Great East Japan Earthquake, a recent government poll says.
The Cabinet Office said Saturday that the figure is the highest since similar surveys first began in 1969 and up 10.8 points from the previous poll in 2009.
The survey from Jan. 5 to Jan. 22 drew 1,893 valid responses.
Of those polled, 97.7 percent said they appreciated the SDF's activities in disaster-hit areas.
A multiple-answer question showed that 76.3 percent believe the SDF's role in natural disasters should be increased, up 2.5 points from the last survey, while 71.5 percent said its role in ensuring national security is important, up 11.4 points.
As for their defense role, a record high 24.8 percent want SDF powers boosted, up 10.7 points, while 60 percent said they were satisfied with the current level, down 5.1 points.
A multiple question on national security said 64.9 percent are worried about the Korean Peninsula and 46.0 percent about China's maritime naval activities.