Cabinet Office of Japan 2009 Public Opinion Survey on Diplomacy
Dates Conducted
December 25 – 27, 2009
Methodology
The Cabinet Office of Japan conducts public opinion polls on Japanese attitudes toward other countries. The nationwide poll surveys 3,000 males and females over the age of 20 by conducting individual interviews. Of the 3,000 polled, 1,850 (61.7%) responded and 1,150 (38.3%) did not. The term (M.T.) indicates a multiple total percentage of those polled who responded to a certain answer in a multiple answer question scenario that is the topic of a further SQ.
Key Issues
- Japan’s relations toward the United States, China and Korea (with age breakdown)
- Economic cooperation
- Japan’s role in the United Nations
- Foreign economic relations
- Civic diplomacy and cultural exchanges
- Government responsiblity for Japanese citizens abroad
Disclaimer
The Mansfield Foundation is responsible for the translation of this Nikkei Shimbun poll, subject to the Mansfield Foundation Terms of Use.
Survey
Japan’s Relations with Foreign Countries
Q1: Do you feel close to the United States or not? (Same question for Russia, China, South Korea, etc.) Please choose one of the following.
A) Feel close
B) Tend to feel close
C) Tend not to feel close
D) Don’t feel close
E) Don’t know
| A) Feel close | B) Tend to feel close | C) Tend not to feel close | D) Do not feel close | E) Don’t know | |
| United States | 37.9 | 41.0 | 12.6 | 6.5 | 1.9 |
| Russia | 2.8 | 12.6 | 44.4 | 35.2 | 5.0 |
| China | 9.2 | 29.3 | 33.5 | 25.0 | 3.0 |
| South Korea | 21.7 | 41.4 | 19.8 | 14.4 | 2.7 |
| India | 5.6 | 24.0 | 33.2 | 26.6 | 10.5 |
| Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Indonesia, etc.) | 8.3 | 33.7 | 29.0 | 20.2 | 8.9 |
| Oceana (Australia, New Zealand, etc.) | 14.9 | 36.3 | 22.6 | 17.7 | 8.5 |
| Middle East | 2.3 | 10.7 | 35.4 | 41.2 | 10.4 |
* See below for a comparison to the previous year’s Cabinet Office findings.
Q2. Do you think that the current relationship between Japan and the United States is on the whole good, or not? (Same question for Russia, China, South Korea, and India.) Please choose one of the following.
A) Good
B) Somewhat good
C) Not so good
D) Not good
E) It depends
F) Don’t know
| A) Good | B) Somewhat good | C) Not so good | D) Not good | E) It depends | F) Don’t know | |
| United States | 26.1 | 55.7 | 12.0 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 1.6 |
| Russia | 1.4 | 20.3 | 51.6 | 16.6 | 2.6 | 7.5 |
| China | 4.1 | 34.4 | 39.4 | 15.8 | 2.4 | 3.8 |
| South Korea | 12.3 | 54.2 | 20.9 | 6.4 | 2.2 | 4.0 |
| India | 4.9 | 33.0 | 31.9 | 10.7 | 4.1 | 15.4 |
** See below for a comparison to the previous year’s Cabinet Office findings.
Q3. If you have any interest in North Korean issues, please indicate as many of the following as apply. (M.T.=373.4%)
| A) Political system | 42.2 |
| B) North-South issues | 24.9 |
| C) Negotiations to normalize Japan-North Korean diplomatic relations | 24.2 |
| D) Japanese abductee issue | 86.7 |
| E) Nuclear issue | 76.8 |
| F) Missile issue | 67.3 |
| G) North Korean defectors issue | 35.2 |
| H) Economic exchange, including trade/culture, sports exchange | 11.9 |
| I) Other | 0.8 |
| J) Nothing special | 3.1 |
| K) Don’t know | 0.3 |
Economic Cooperation
Q4. Developed countries provide economic cooperation, including financial aid and technical assistance, to developing countries. From a comprehensive point of view, what do you think about Japan’s economic cooperation in the future? Please choose one of the following.
| A) Should actively promote cooperation | 26.8 |
| B) Current level of cooperation is sufficient | 48.2 |
| C) Should cut cooperation as much as possible | 17.0 |
| D) Should stop completely | 2.5 |
| E) Don’t know | 5.5 |
Q4SQa. For those who answered, “should actively promote cooperation” in Q4, why do you think so? Please choose as many as apply from the following. (N=495)
(M.T.=351.7)
| A) Economic cooperation is an important means of advancing Japanese foreign policy | 52.9 |
| B) Without political stability and economic growth in developing countries the Japanese economy cannot advance | 48.9 |
| C) Economic assistance for developing countries can help Japan secure stable energy resources | 37.2 |
| D) Japan, as the number two global economy, has a responsibility to help developing countries that suffer from accumulated debts | 36.8 |
| E) It is the humanitarian duty of advanced countries to help developing countries | 49.9 |
| F) Contributing to the stability of developing countries contributes to world peace | 50.1 |
| G) Japan will be isolated if only Japan does not provide economic cooperation | 23.8 |
| H) Japan should use its technology and experience to solve developing countries’ environmental problems, etc. | 51.3 |
| I) Others | 0.4 |
| J) No specific reason | — |
| K) Don’t know | 0.4 |
Q4SQb. For those who answered “should cut cooperation as much as possible” or “should stop completely” in Q4, why do you think so? Please choose as many as apply from the following. (N=362)
(M.T.=261.9)
| A) Japan’s domestic economic condition is not good | 76.0 |
| B) It is not clear, in concrete terms, what type of economic cooperation is taking place | 37.6 |
| C) There are many cases in which Japan’s current economic cooperation is ineffective due to lack of consideration for on the ground conditions and needs | 32.0 |
| D) Do not feel that Japan’s economic cooperation is appreciated by developing countries | 29.8 |
| E) Economic cooperation is not fully utilized as Japan’s diplomatic tool | 17.4 |
| F) Current economic assistance is insufficient in such areas as coordination with related agencies, management and operation of donated equipment, etc. | 13.8 |
| G) Japan’s fiscal situation is not good | 53.3 |
| H) Others | 1.1 |
| I) No specific reason | 0.6 |
| J) Don’t know | 0.3 |
Japan’s Role in the United Nations
Q5. Currently more than 100 countries send personnel for UN peacekeeping operations (PKO). Based on international laws of peace and cooperation, Japan has participated in: UN PKOs in Cambodia, the Golan Heights, East Timor, Sudan and elsewhere; international humanitarian relief activities such as refugee-support in Iraq; and international election monitoring activities in East Timor and Nepal. In the future, do you think that Japan should participate in these humanitarian contributions to international society, or not? Please choose one of the following.
| A) Should participate more actively than before | 29.4 |
| B) Should participate at the current level | 51.0 |
| C) Should participate but at a minimal level | 12.1 |
| D) Should not participate | 1.7 |
| E) Others | 0.5 |
| F) Don’t know | 5.3 |
Q6. At the United Nations, discussion is moving forward on expanding the Security Council in order to strengthen its functions and enhance the representation of each region at the council. What do you think about Japan becoming a permanent member of the Security Council? Please choose one of the following.
| A) Support | 41.8 |
| B) Tend to support | 37.4 |
| C) Tend to oppose | 5.3 |
| D) Oppose | 1.5 |
| E) Don’t know | 14.0 |
Q6SQa. For those who answered “support” or “tend to support” in Q6, why do you think so? Please choose one of the following. (N=1,466)
| A) Japan should actively contribute to world peace in accordance with its global status | 25.7 |
| B) It is peculiar that Japan cannot be a part of important decision-making processes while it makes enormous financial contributions to the United Nations | 27.1 |
| C) Helps world peace, as Japan is a non-nuclear state with pacifist ideals | 28.9 |
| D) Japan can reflect its ideas on important UN decisions involving international security | 11.1 |
| E) As another representative from Asia on the Security Council, Japan can improve the regional imbalance in the United Nations | 8.0 |
| F) Others | — |
| G) Don’t know | 1.2 |
Q6SQb. For those who answered “tend to oppose” or “oppose” in Q6, why do you think so? Please choose one of the following. (N=125)
| A) Once Japan becomes a permanent member of the Security Council it will have to make even greater financial contributions to the UN than now | 24.8 |
| B) Once Japan becomes a permanent member of the Security Council, it will have to actively participate in the UN’s military activities | 23.2 |
| C) Can make enough international contributions in such non-military areas as economic, social and environmental issues without becoming a permanent member of the Security Council | 24.7 |
| D) Should revise the Constitution before Japan becomes a permanent member of the Security Council | 12.3 |
| E) The Security Council does not have the power to resolve global disputes | 10.4 |
| F) Others | 4.0 |
| G) Don’t know | 6.4 |
External Economy
Q7. On which areas do you think Japan should focus when it promotes its economic relations with foreign countries? Please choose as many as apply.
(M.T.=264.7)
| A) Promotion of liberalization of trade and investment, through the use of such mechanisms as free trade agreements (FTAs), economic partnership agreements (EPAs), investment agreements (BIT), and World Trade Organization (WTO) initiatives with specific countries and regions. | 35.4 |
| B) Securing energy resources, including mineral resources | 60.7 |
| C) Securing food | 46.6 |
| D) Promotion of direct investment in Japan | 11.8 |
| E) Support for Japanese corporations’ overseas activities | 33.1 |
| F) Protection of intellectual property rights, including patents | 21.5 |
| G) Promotion of tourism to Japan | 24.5 |
| H) Promotion of understanding about the Japanese economy among foreign countries (more active public relations) | 23.0 |
| I) Others | 0.1 |
| J) Nothing in particular | 2.4 |
| K) Don’t know | 5.5 |
Protection of Japanese Nationals
Q8. What do you think about protection of, and support for, Japanese nationals who encounter traffic accidents, crimes, illness, terror and other accidents and incidents while overseas? Please choose one of the following.
| A) Individuals or home companies/organizations should be responsible for dealing with them on their own | 8.4 |
| B) Individuals or home companies/organizations should deal with them on their own as much as possible, but if they cannot, the government, embassies and consulates should provide protection and support | 39.8 |
| C) Even if individuals or home companies/organizations can deal with them on their own, the government, embassies and consulates should actively provide protection and support | 25.0 |
| D) Under any circumstances, the government, embassies and consulates should provide protection and support | 23.6 |
| E) Other | 0.5 |
| F) Don’t know | 2.8 |
Roles that Japan Should Play
Q9. What do you think are the main roles that Japan should play in the international community? Please choose as many as apply.
(M.T.=340.9)
| A) Humanitarian aid, including efforts toward advancing international peace through the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts | 57.7 |
| B) Contributions to maintaining world peace through disarmament and non-proliferation | 42.1 |
| C) International efforts to spread universal values, such as freedom, democracy, fundamental human rights and the rule of law | 30.1 |
| D) Humanitarian support for refugees and displaced people | 41.5 |
| E) Contributions toward healthy growth of the global economy | 38.1 |
| F) Cooperation to develop developing countries | 37.7 |
| G) Contributions to solving global issues such as the environment and global climate change | 62.8 |
| H) Contributions to international cultural exchanges, such as cooperation in preserving each country’s cultural heritage | 25.4 |
| I) Others | 0.1 |
| J) Nothing in particular | 1.6 |
| K) Don’t know | 4.0 |
<Fact Sheet>
F1. Gender
| Male | 47.3 |
| Female | 52.7 |
F2. Age
| 20-24 | 3.9 |
| 25-29 | 3.8 |
| 30-34 | 6.5 |
| 35-39 | 8.5 |
| 40-44 | 7.8 |
| 45-49 | 9.2 |
| 50-54 | 8.3 |
| 55-59 | 10.9 |
| 60-64 | 11.4 |
| 65-69 | 10.5 |
| 70- | 19.2 |
F3. Employment situation. We will now ask about your job. Which applies to you?
| Employer (including executives) | 46.6 |
| Self-employed (including those who work from home) | 9.5 |
| Family business worker | 2.6 |
| Unemployed (including housewives and students) | 41.2 |
F3SQa. Occupation. What is the content of your work? (N=1,088)
| Management | 6.8 |
| Specialist/Technician | 11.5 |
| Clerical worker | 21.4 |
| Sales, service, security | 27.4 |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishery | 5.1 |
| Manufacturing, transportation, construction, labor | 27.8 |
F3SQb. Housewife and other unemployed. Are you a housewife? (N=762)
| Housewife | 58.9 |
| Other unemployed | 41.1 |
* Compared to the previous year’s Cabinet Office poll, the percentage of respondents who “feel close” to another country (including “tend to feel close) and those who “do not feel close” (including “tend not to feel close).
| Country | “Feel close”2008 | “Feel close”2009 | “Do not feel close”2008 | “Do not feel close”2009 |
| United States | 73.3 | 78.9 | 24.8 | 19.1 |
| Russia | 13 | 15.4 | 83.4 | 79.6 |
| China | 31.8 | 38.5 | 66.6 | 58.5 |
| South Korea | 57.1 | 63.1 | 40.9 | 34.2 |
** Compared to the previous year’s Cabinet Office poll, the percentage of respondents who “think it [Japan’s relations with another country] is good” (including “think it is fairly good”) and those who “do not think it is good” (including “do not think it is all that good”).
| Country | “Think it is good”2008 | “Think it is good”2009 | “Not good”2008 | “Not good”2009 |
| United States | 68.9 | 81.8 | 28.1 | 14.4 |
| Russia | 20.5 | 21.7 | 72.5 | 68.2 |
| China | 23.7 | 38.5 | 71.9 | 55.2 |
| South Korea | 49.5 | 66.5 | 45.9 | 27.3 |