The purpose of this study was to clarify the importance of public health nurses (PHNs) in Japan assigned to the targets and methods of public health nursing activities. Subjects were PHNs who had 10 years or more of work experience. A cross-sectional written survey was used to collect data from 1,967 PHNs (42% response rate). Survey items sought opinions on trends in community health and welfare activities (TCHWA), and the importance of public health nursing activities. TCHWA responses indicated that 70% or more of participants recognized the expansion of public responsibility, and the importance of the individual level of practice and policy-making. Surveyed PHNs found coordinating an organization (83.6%) to be important. Correlation of responses regarding TCHWA and the importance of public health nursing activities highlighted the importance of policy-making and indicated a significantly high awareness of the importance of activities. PHNs regarded support at both the individual/family and population/community levels to be important in terms of public health nursing activities. Currently, regarding public health nursing activities, it is necessary to promote the role of safety nets for protecting citizens' health, and effective public health nursing activities from which all citizens can equitably resource.