A rising number of Japanese are concerned that public safety and education have worsened over the past few years, according to a government poll.

A total of 26.6 percent of respondents said public safety has deteriorated, up 7.8 percentage points from the last poll in 1998, while 26.2 percent said education has worsened, up 9.1 percentage points.

The Cabinet Office polled 10,000 men and women aged 20 and older in December, receiving responses from 69.3 percent.

Asked what they are proud of about Japan, only 30 percent named public safety, down 8.7 percentage points from the 1998 poll and falling to fourth spot from first.

Government officials said people have lost confidence in public safety mainly in reaction to a recent spate of vicious crimes, including those involving juveniles.

History and tradition took top spot as the feature of Japan in which the largest number of respondents took pride, chosen by 37.4 percent. It was followed by the beauty of the natural environment at 36.2 percent, and culture and art at 34.1 percent.

Meanwhile, nearly 80 percent of respondents said the government's policies do not reflect the wishes of the public, underlining people's lack of confidence in the administration of Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.

Asked what policy areas they want the government to focus on, 50.4 percent named reform of the social security system, including medical care and pensions, up 4.3 percentage points from 1998.

The poll showed 46.9 percent believe the Japanese economy has worsened, down 17.1 percentage points.

Meanwhile, 25.3 percent praised steps taken in the communications and transportation sectors, putting them at the top of a list of areas in which the respondents gave the government high marks for policy.

Asked what they demand of the government, 63.1 percent said they want measures to boost the economy, while 47.3 percent said they want the government to tackle employment and labor issues.