Political Origin of High Trust in the Government During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Selective Responsibility Attribution to Opposition Parties and Nonpartisan Experts

Tatsuya Iseki and Masaki Hata

Social Science Quarterly, 2025, vol. 106, issue 2

Abstract: Objective Increased public trust in government and political leaders during the COVID‐19 pandemic in various countries coexisted with a mounting backlash against pandemic‐control measures. To clarify this paradox of high trust alongside resistance to control measures, we show that amid the cross‐partisan consensus and increased roles for experts during the pandemic, blame for pandemic‐control measures were attributed to opposition parties and/or nonpartisan experts instead of governing incumbents. Consequently, the backlash against such measures did not erode public trust in governments and political leaders. Methods Utilizing survey data collected in Japan in 2020, we examined the public response to a de facto stay‐at‐home order and evaluated public trust in the incumbent party, opposition party, and advisory experts in Japan. Results Among governing‐party supporters and independents, dissatisfaction with the stay‐at‐home order did not decrease trust in the incumbent party but did decrease trust in the opposition party and in advisory experts. Conclusion One reason why public trust in the government remained high during the pandemic is that individuals’ responsibility attribution was biased. The government must clarify the distribution of roles and responsibilities during crises such as pandemics.

Date: 2025
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