Opinion Poll: 2008 U.S. Image of Japan Study (Summary)
May 1, 2008
(Figures in brackets are results in 2007 and 2006. See the attached graphs for past trends in major questions)
1. Perception of Japan as a Dependable Ally or Friend (See Graph 1 [PDF]
)
Even though the percentage among the general public was 67%, opinion leaders' result was 92%, which marked the highest-ever record.
- Rating of respondents who consider Japan as a dependable ally or friend
- General public: 67%
(74%, 68%) - Opinion leaders: 92% *
(91%, 91%)
*: highest figures
2. The Most Important Partner of the U.S. in the Asian Region (See Graphs 2 and 3 [PDF])
- Almost half of the American respondents regard Japan as the most important partner in the Asian Region.
- The percentage of those who chose China as the most important partner is the same as in 2007 in both among the general public and opinion leaders.
- 1: Japan
- General public: 43%
(48%, 45%) - Opinion leaders: 54%
(53%, 47%) - 2: China
- General public: 34%
(34%, 33%) - Opinion leaders: 38%
(38%, 43%) - 3. Russia
- General public: 10%
(8%, 13%) - Opinion leaders: 5%
(5%, 4%)
3. Japan-U.S. Relations
The percentage of those who think Japan-U.S. cooperative relations are 'Excellent' or 'Good' basically remains at the high level as in recent years.
(1) Evaluation of the present level of Japan-U.S. cooperation in general
- Rating of positive responses, either "excellent" or "good" (See Graph 4 [PDF])
- General public: 63%
(67%, 63%) - Opinion leaders: 85%
(86%, 85%)
(2) Japan-U.S. relations in the future (See Graph 5 [PDF])
- (Will improve)
- General public: 46%
(47%, 42%) - Opinion leaders: 36%
(30%, 42%) - (Will not change)
- General public: 38%
(43%, 44%) - Opinion leaders: 56%
(58%, 51%)
(3) The way which would most improve relations between the U.S. and Japan.
- "Improve economic/trade Relations"
- General public: 36%
(36%, 36%) - Opinion leaders: 40%
(36%, 44%) - "Increase global cooperation"
- General public: 27%
(30%, 28%) - Opinion leaders: 31%
(29%, 27%) - "Strengthen political/security Relations"
- General public: 20%
(25%, 21%) - Opinion leaders: 24%
(26%, 20%) - "Promote cultural exchanges"
- General public: 8%
(8%, 12%) - Opinion leaders: 4%
(8%, 8%)
(4) Degree of mutual understanding between the people of Japan and the U.S. (See Graph 6 [PDF])
- (Good)
- General public: 38%
(36%, 38%) - Opinion leaders: 27%
(23%, 25%) - (Fair)
- General public: 43%
(49%, 45%) - Opinion leaders: 57%
(60%, 58%)
4. Evaluation of the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements
With regard to the Japan-U.S. security arrangements, there has been no significant change; a large majority of the U.S. public shows their support for the maintenance of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.
(1) Evaluation of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty (See Graph 7 [PDF])
- (The Treaty should be maintained)
- General public: 78%
(87%, 85%) - Opinion leaders: 87%
(88%, 90%)
(2) The contribution of the Japan-US Security Treaty to the peace and stability of Japan and the Far East (See Graph 8 [PDF])
- (Rating of positive responses, either "Great deal" or "Moderate amount")
- General public: 65%
(77%, 71%) - Opinion leaders: 82%
(88%, 82%)
(3) Importance of the Japan-US Security Treaty for U.S. security interests (See Graph 9 [PDF])
- (Rating of positive responses, either "very important" or "somewhat important")
- General public: 84%
(89%, 87%) - Opinion leaders: 87%
(88%, 88%)
5. Economic and Trade Relations
As to the reasons for Japan-US trade imbalance, the opinion was almost equally divided into three options, namely "U.S. industry's weak competitiveness"; "Macro-economic discrepancies in both countries" and "The closed nature of Japan's market".
- The main reasons for Japan-US trade imbalance (See Graphs 10 and 11 [PDF])
- "U.S. industry's weak competitiveness"
- General public: 30%
(35%, 33%) - Opinion leaders: 37%
(31%, 32%) - "Macro-economic discrepancies in both countries including U.S.'s budget deficit and Japan's domestic consumption"
- General public: 26%
(26%, 30%) - Opinion leaders: 31%
(34%, 33%) - "The closed nature of Japan's market"
- General public: 29%
(32%, 29%) - Opinion leaders: 30%
(30%, 29%)
6. Evaluation of Japan's International Role
- As to the question of whether Japan has played an important international role commensurate with its economic strength, more than 60% of the respondents answered affirmatively.
- Japan was highly evaluated especially in the fields of "Science / Technology" and "Global Economy" as last year.
(1) Does Japan play an important international role commensurate with its economic strength? (See Graph 12 [PDF])
- "Yes" (As to opinion leaders, it includes "Yes, somewhat")
- General public: 62%
(69%, 68%) - Opinion leaders: 66%
(70%, 74%) - "No"
- General public: 24%
(25%, 25%) - Opinion leaders: 31%
(27%, 23%)
(2) In the following areas, does Japan currently play an important international role? (Rating of positive response)
- "Science / Technology"
- General public: 60%
(67%, 65%) - Opinion leaders: 96%
(96%, 97%) - "Global Economy"
- General public: 53%
(62%, 58%) - Opinion leaders: 96%
(96%, 97%) - "Cultural exchange"
- General public: 48%
(58%, 54%) - Opinion leaders: 71%
(68%, 76%) - "World Politics"
- General public: 38%
(48%, 44%) - Opinion leaders: 63%
(61%, 71%) - "Global Issues"
- General public: 37%
(40%, 41%) - Opinion leaders: 66%
(64%, 73%) - "Economic Aid"
- General public: 29%
(34%, 36%) - Opinion leaders: 57%
(61%, 70%) - "Security/PKO"
- General public: 29%
(33%, 35%) - Opinion leaders: 41%
(43%, 45%)
7. Perceptions of countries sharing common values with U.S.
- The percentage of response answering that Japan and U.S. share common values indicated a high level, next to the U.K. and Germany
(The figures are the total of those who responded "to a great extent" and "to some extent.") India was added in 2008.
| Country | <General public> | Country | <Opinion leaders> |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.K. | 76% (85%, 77%) | U.K. | 96% (96%, 96%) |
| Japan | 73% (83%, 78%) | Germany | 96% (92%, 94%) |
| Germany | 73% (79%, 72%) | Japan | 93% (94%, 96%) |
| France | 58% (62%, 59%) | Taiwan | 85% (83%, 83%) |
| Taiwan | 51% (58%, 57%) | France | 81% (74%, 81%) |
| India | 45% | India | 77% |
| Russia | 44% (52%, 57%) | Russia | 58% (58%, 69%) |
| China | 42% (45%, 48%) | China | 52% (45%, 55%) |
| North Korea | 18% (14%, 20%) | North Korea | 7% (6%, 14%) |
8. Sources of Information on Japan
- The order of sources of information on Japan was as follows:
General public: television, magazines or books, newspapers
Opinion leaders: newspapers, magazines or books, television
| <General public> | <Opinion leaders> | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Television: | 74% (80%, 78%) | Newspapers | 86% (89%, 90%) |
| Magazines/Books | 64% (72%, 67%) | Magazines/Books | 86% (83%, 89%) |
| Newspapers | 63% (71%, 71%) | TV | 75% (72%, 80%) |
| School Studies | 52% (51%, 53%) | School Studies | 61% (61%, 62%) |
| Internet | 39% (43%, 38%) | Internet | 58% (60%, 56%) |
| Movies | 37% (40%, 39%) | Radio | 46% (48%, 48%) |
| Friends/Neighbors | 30% (29%, 30%) | Japanese Friends | 44% (46%, 52%) |
| Japanese Friends | 29% (29%, 32%) | Friends/Neighbors | 39% (38%, 41%) |
| Radio | 26% (34%, 33%) | Movies | 30% (32%, 40%) |
| Experience in Japan | 12% (12%, 11%) | Experience in Japan | 28% (24%, 31%) |
9. Perceptions of Japan (General public only)
- Positive images get high points, with Japan viewed as "a country that has great traditions and culture," "a country with a strong economy and high technology," "a peaceful country," "a country with beautiful nature," and "a country that has potential for growth."
(The percentage shows the ratio of those who responded positively when the following choices were read.)
- a country that has great traditions and culture:
- 92% (95%, 94%)
- a country with a strong economy and technology:
- 91% (94%, 93%)
- a country with beautiful nature:
- 80% (78%, 81%)
- a peaceful country:
- 77% (81%, 78%)
- a country that has potential for growth:
- 76% (78%, -)
- a country that disseminates new culture to the world, such as animation, fashion, and cuisine:
- 73% (78%, -)
- a western-oriented country:
- 62% (63%, 62%)
- a country that has shown leadership in global society:
- 59% (64%, -)
- a democratic country:
- 47% (51%, 47%)
- a country that is difficult to understand:
- 47% (48%, 49%)
- a militant country:
- 31% (29%, 34%)
- a country Americans should be wary of:
- 31% (29%, 30%)
10. Japan's becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (Opinion leaders only)
Should Japan become another permanent member of the United Nations Security Council?
(Figures in parentheses are results of the 2007 survey.)
- Yes
- 49% (52%)
- No
- 47% (42%)
- Don't know/Refused.
- 4% (6%)
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