Opinion Poll on Japan in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023

1.

The United States of America

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan commissioned the Harris Poll (a US company) to conduct an opinion poll on the image of Japan in the U.S. from November 2023 to January 2024. The poll consists of the “General Population” survey and the “Opinion Leaders” survey. In the former, 1,000 adults chosen at random ware surveyed online. In the latter, 204 leaders in the federal government, large businesses, news media, organized labor unions, religious organizations, and academia were surveyed online. Prior to FY 2023, the “Opinion Leaders” survey was conducted by telephone.

(1) The Japan-U.S. relation
- (a) On the Japan-U.S. relation, 75% (FY 2022: 72%) of the respondents in the “General Population” survey and 87% (FY 2022: 95%) of the respondents in the “Opinion Leaders” survey answered that it is “friendly.”
- (b) On the reliability of Japan as a partner of the U.S., 73% (FY 2022: 72%) of the respondents in the “General Population” survey and 88% (FY 2022: 93%) of the respondents in the “Opinion Leaders” survey answered that it is “reliable.”
- (c) As the answer to the question about the most important partner of the U.S., Japan ranks 1st (FY2022: 1st) among the countries or regions in Asia in the “Opinion Leaders” survey.
(2) Security
- (a) On the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, 72% (FY 2022: 70%) of the respondents in the “General Population” survey and 79% (FY2022: 90%) of the respondents in the “Opinion Leaders” survey answered that the U.S. should “maintain” it.
- (b) On the treaty, 93% (FY 2022: 92%) of the respondents in the “Opinion Leaders” survey answered that it is “important for the security of the U.S.”
- (c) On the treaty, 91% (FY 2022: 88%) of the respondents in the “Opinion Leaders” survey answered that it “contributes to peace and stability in East Asia.”
- (d) On the U.S. Forces in Japan, 91% (FY 2022: 89%) of the respondents in the “Opinion Leaders” survey answered that it is “important for the security of the U.S.”
- (e) On the Japan’s self-defense capability, 29% (FY 2022: 32%) of the respondents in the “General Population” survey and 36% (FY 2022: 49%) of the respondents in the “Opinion Leaders” survey answered that Japan should “increase” it. Another 38% (FY 2022: 37%) of the respondents in the “General Population” survey and 46% (FY 2022: 42%) of the respondents in the “Opinion Leaders” survey answered that Japan should “maintain the current level.”
(3) Economy
- (a) The majority of the respondents in the “General Population” survey answered that Japan has a “good” influence on the U.S. economy (Trade: 68%, Investment: 59%, Job Creation: 50%) (FY 2022: Trade: 66%, Investment: 60%, Job Creation: 54%).
- (b) In the “Opinion Leaders” survey, Japan ranks 1stamong the top contributors to the U.S. economy (Trade: 1st , Investment: 1st, Job Creation: 1st) (FY 2022: Trade: 4th, Investment: 4th, Job Creation: 4th).
(4) “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”
On the efforts of Japan and the U.S. toward realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”, 72% (FY 2022: 74%) of the respondents in the “Opinion Leaders” survey answered that Japan and the U.S. should “advance” them.

2.

Australia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan commissioned Ipsos (Hong Kong) to conduct an opinion poll with 400 respondents aged from 18 to 69 through online from October to November 2023. (Note: The last opinion poll conducted in Australia was in FY2021.)

(1) Relations with Japan
80% (previous survey: 78%) of the respondents answered “very friendly” or “somewhat friendly” on how they viewed their country’s relations with Japan. 79% (previous survey: 74%) of the respondents answered “very reliable” or “somewhat reliable” on how they rate Japan as a reliable friend.

(2) Japan as a Peace-Loving Nation
80% (previous survey: 76%) of the respondents answered “a lot” or “to some extent” on how much they valued Japan as a peace-loving nation.

(3) Japan’s role in stabilization and growth of the world economy
70% (previous survey: 69%) of the respondents answered “a very important role” or “somewhat important role” on what extent Japan plays an important role in stabilization and growth of the world economy.

(4) Japan’s contribution to the peace and stability
82% (previous survey: 76%) of the respondents answered “very valuable” or “valuable” on how they rate Japan’s proactive contribution to the peace and stability of the region and the international community for maintaining global peace and establishment of international order.

(5) Important partner in the future
42% (previous survey: 43%) of the respondents chose Japan as an important partner in the future for the respondent’s country among G20 members and others.

3.

India

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan commissioned Ipsos (Hong Kong) to conduct an opinion poll with 2,200 respondents aged from 18 to 69 through online from November to December 2023. (Note: The last opinion poll conducted in India was in FY2021.)

(1) Relations with Japan
97% (previous survey: 91%) of the respondents answered “very friendly” or “somewhat friendly” on how they viewed their country’s relations with Japan.
(2) Reliable Relationship
96% (previous survey: 90%) of the respondents answered “very reliable” or “somewhat reliable” on how they rate Japan as a reliable friend.
(3) Japan as a Peace-Loving Nation
96% (previous survey: 90%) of the respondents answered “a lot” or “to some extent” on how much they valued Japan as a peace-loving nation.
(4) Role and Contribution of Japan
93% (previous survey: 86%) of the respondents answered “a very important role” or “somewhat important role” on to what extent Japan plays an important role in stabilization and growth of the world economy.
96% (previous survey: 92%) of the respondents answered “very valuable” or “valuable” on how they rate Japan’s proactive contribution to the peace and stability of the region and the international community for maintaining global peace and establishment of international order.
(5) Partner in the future
50% (previous survey: 43%) of the respondents chose Japan among G20 members and others as an important partner in the future for the respondent’s country, which ranked Japan second behind the United States.

4.

ASEAN

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan commissioned Ipsos (Hong Kong) to conduct an opinion poll with 2,700 respondents (300 each) aged from 18 to 59 through online from November to December 2023. (Note: The last opinion poll conducted in ASEAN countries (except for Myanmar) was in FY2021.)

(1) Relations with Japan
91% (previous survey: 93%) of the respondents answered “very friendly” or “somewhat friendly” on how they viewed their country’s relations with Japan. 91% (previous survey: 92%) of the respondents answered “very reliable” or “somewhat reliable” on how they rate Japan as a reliable friend.
(2) Japan as a Peace-Loving Nation
88% (previous survey: 88%) of the respondents answered “a lot” or “to some extent” on how much they valued Japan as a peace-loving nation.
(3) Japan’s role in stabilization and growth of the world economy
88% (previous survey: 90%) of the respondents answered “a very important role” or “somewhat important role” on what extent Japan plays an important role in stabilization and growth of the world economy.
(4) Japan’s contribution to the peace and stability
91% (previous survey: 91%) of the respondents answered “very valuable” or “valuable” on how they rate Japan’s proactive contribution to the peace and stability of the region and the international community for maintaining global peace and establishment of international order.
(5) Important partner in the future
43% (previous survey: 43%) of the respondents chose Japan as an important partner in the future for the respondent’s country/association, which put Japan the First among the G20 members and others(previous survey: ranked second following China).
(6) The most reliable friend
17% (previous survey: 16%) of the respondents chose Japan as the most reliable friend for the respondent’s country/association, which put Japan the Second among the G20 members and others following ASEAN (previous survey: ranked third following ASEAN and China).

5.

Latin American and Caribbean Countries

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan commissioned Ipsos (Hong Kong) to conduct an opinion poll in seven Latin American and Caribbean countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Bolivia, Uruguay) with 2,300 respondents (400 each for Brazil and Mexico, and 300 each for the rest) aged from 18 to 64 through online and face-to face interview from November to December 2023. (Note: The last opinion poll conducted in Latin American and Caribbean countries was in FY2020.)

(1) Relations with Japan
77% (previous survey: 70%) of the respondents answered “very friendly” or “friendly” on how they viewed their country’s relations with Japan. 83% (previous survey: 75%) of the respondents answered “very reliable” or “somewhat reliable” on how they rate Japan as a reliable friend.
(2) Japan as a Peace-Loving Nation
82% (previous survey: 82%) of the respondents answered “a lot” or “to some extent” on how much they valued Japan as a peace-loving nation.
(3) Japan’s contribution to role in stabilization and growth of the world economy
84% (previous survey: 82%) of the respondents answered “very important role” or “important role” on what extent Japan plays an important role in stabilization and growth of the world economy.
(4) Japan’s contribution to the peace and stability
82% (previous survey: 89%) of the respondents answered “very valuable” or “valuable” on how they rate Japan’s proactive contribution to the peace and stability of the region and the international community for maintaining global peace and establishment of international order.
(5) Contribution of Japanese immigrants and their descendants
72% (previous survey: 72%) of the respondents answered “They are contributing” or “They are contributing moderately” on whether the Japanese who immigrated to their country and the people of Japanese descents (Nikkei) are contributing to their society.

Press Releases

Opinion Poll on Japan in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023

Related Links