The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation

The Mansfield Asian Opinion Poll Database

View list of polls

View list of commentary

Return to Asian polls home page

PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY ON DIPLOMACY BY THE CABINET OFFICE OF JAPAN (P06-17)

Public Opinion Survey on Diplomacy by the Cabinet Office of Japan (Abridged)

Conducted:

October 2006

Released:

December 11, 2006

Methodology:

The Cabinet Office of Japan conducts annual public opinion polls on Japanese attitudes toward other countries. The poll surveys 1704 males and females over the age of 20. 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 group breakdown)
• Economic cooperation
• Japan’s role in the United Nations
• Foreign economic relations
• Civic diplomacy and cultural exchanges
• Government responsibility for Japanese citizens abroad

Background:

The annual Cabinet Office survey was conducted in early October 2006 shortly after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took office. Foregoing the usual first state visit of a Japanese prime minister’s tenure to the United States, Prime Minister Abe instead visited China and South Korea in an effort to strengthen the regional relationships that have been waning in recent years. The visit to China was the first that a Japanese prime minister had made for 18 months, and indicated a shift in Japanese foreign policy strategy in trying to build regional cooperation. The Prime Minister’s outreach was further accentuated by his admissions to wartime atrocities committed during World War II. At the same time however, Prime Minister Abe has pursued tough sanctions against North Korea, a reformation of the 1947 education law, and constitutional reform reshaping the future role of the Japanese military. Amicable relations between Japan and regional powers are on the rise as Japan continues to seek ways, through diplomatic means, to further move towards this end. On an economic front, this past year indicated a consistent path towards recovery as Japan experienced significant rises in its overall growth rate. This is the second-longest growth period that Japanese markets have experienced since the end of World War II.

Link to Original Source:

http://www8.cao.go.jp/survey/h17/h17-gaikou/3.html

Disclaimer

The Mansfield Foundation is responsible for the translation of this Cabinet Office poll, subject to the Mansfield Foundation Terms of Use

Survey:

1. Japan’s relations with foreign countries

Q1. Do you feel close to the United States or not? (Same questions for Russia, China, South Korea, etc.) Please choose one of the following

[Note: Click here for an age group breakdown of respondents for the questions on the United States, China and Korea.]

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) Don't feel close	E) Don't know
United States	35.2%	40.1	14.0	7.3	3.4
Russia	2.2	13.2	43.6	35.5	5.7
China	8.3	26.1	36.3	25.2	4.1
South Korea	12.6	35.9	28.2	18.9	4.4
Southeast Asian countries(Thailand, Indonesia, etc.)	10.2	35.4	26.7	16.4	11.4
South Asian countries(India, Pakistan, etc.)	16.3	21.3	38.7	23.1	12.7
Western European countries(France, Germany, UK, etc.)	16.3	44.0	20.7	11.0	8.0
Australia, New Zealand	21.7	40.1	17.1	12.0	9.2
Middle Eastern countries	2.1	15.4	37.5	32.3	12.7
Central and Eastern European countries (Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, etc.)	4.7	22.0	33.9	24.4	15.1
Central and South American, and Caribbean countries (Mexico, Brazil, Jamaica, etc.)	7.1	30.0	30.7	20.3	11.9
African countries (Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, etc.)	4.5	20.5	35.4	26.1	13.5

Q2. Do you think the relationship between Japan and the United States is on the whole good, or not? (Same questions for Russia, China, South Korea, etc.) 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	36.0	46.7	9.8	1.8	2.6	3.1
Russia	1.3	19.7	47.4	20.8	3.0	7.8
China	2.3	19.4	46.8	23.9	2.5	5.1
South Korea	4.6	29.9	40.0	17.1	3.1	5.4
Southeast Asian countries(Thailand, Indonesia, etc.)	6.0	46.2	22.0	5.7	3.3	16.7
South Asian countries(India, Pakistan, etc.)	2.5	34.6	31.4	7.7	3.8	20.0
Western European countries(France, Germany, UK, etc.)	9.4	54.9	16.2	3.4	3.1	13.0
Australia, New Zealand	14.6	51.2	13.0	3.2	2.8	15.2
Middle Eastern countries	1.5	24.2	36.4	12.4	4.3	21.1
Central and Eastern European countries	2.8	32.3	28.0	7.9	3.7	25.2
Central and South American, and Caribbean countries (Mexico, Brazil, Jamaica, etc.)	4.1	41.4	22.2	6.5	3.5	22.2
African countries (Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, etc.)	2.5	33.3	26.7	8.7	3.9	24.9

Q3. If you have interest in any North Korean issues, please indicate as many of the following as apply.
(M.T.=554.6%)

A) Political system	44.5%
B) North-South issues	22.9
C) Negotiations to normalize Japan-N. Korea diplomatic relations	30.3
D) Japanese abductee issues	86.7
E) Suspicious boat issues	43.8
F) Nuclear development issues	79.5
G) Missile issues	71.5
H) Illegal activities, including drug smuggling	46.0
I) So-called "settlement of the past"	18.6
J) Refugee issues	20.7
K) Food aid	35.7
L) Japanese spouses' visit to their home town	18.8
M) Sightseeing	5.4
N) Economic exchanges, including trade	11.7
O) Cultural exchanges	6.3
Q) Sports exchanges	7.3
R) Others	0.9
S) Nothing special	2.9
T) Don't know	0.9

Q4. How do you obtain information about foreign and international relations issues? Please choose as many as apply from the following.
(M.T.= 308.5%)

A) News	94.0%
B) News programs	71.4
C) Variety shows	36.7
D) Daily newspaper	63.1
E) Evening newspaper	12.0
F) Weekly publication	10.4
G) Specialized magazines	2.3
H) Government publications	3.1
I) Internet	13.7
J) Other	0.2
K) Nothing in particular	1.6

SQ. For those who answered that you obtain information in the categories other than “nothing in particular” in Q4, in what areas do you feel your sources are insufficient in providing information? Select as many as apply from the following. (N=1,677)
(M.T.=175.1%)

A) Objectivity of the information	26.5%
B) Background of the issue	29.1
C) Conditions of the country in which the event occurred	30.6
D) Easy to understand explanations	29.4
E) Specialized analyses and comments	12.2
F) Popular public opinions	22.4
G) Other	0.4
H) None in particular	24.6

2. Economic cooperation

Q5. Developed countries provide economic cooperation, including financial aid and technical assistance, for developing countries. From a variety of levels, what do you think about Japan’s economic cooperation in the future? Please choose one of the following.

A) Should advance cooperation actively	23.1%
B) Current level of cooperation is sufficient	45.2
C) Should cut cooperation as much as possible	22.1
D) Should stop completely	3.2
E) Don't know	6.5

SQa. For those who answered, “should advance cooperation actively” in Q5, why do you think that way? Choose as many as apply from the following. (N=393)
(M.T.= 320.4%)

A) It is developed countries' humanitarian obligation to help developing countries	57.0%
B) It can contribute to stability of developing countries and world peace	64.4
C) Japan, as a country with a huge trade surplus, has a responsibility to help developing countries that suffer from accumulated debts, etc.	22.9
D) Economic cooperation is an important tool for Japan's diplomacy	38.4
E) Without political stability and economic development in developing countries, the Japanese economy cannot advance	34.6
F) Economic cooperation for developing countries can help Japan secure stable energy resources	33.3
G) Japan will be isolated if only Japan does not provide economic cooperation	17.6
H) Japan should use its technology and experience to solve developing countries' environmental issues, etc.	49.1
I) Others	1.0
J) No specific reason	1.8
K) Don't know	0.3

SQb. For those who answered ”should cut cooperation as much as possible” or “should stop completely” in Q5, why do you think that way? Choose as many as apply from the following. (N=430)
(M.T.= 256.3%)

A) Japan's domestic economic condition is not good	67.2%
B) Type of actual economic cooperation is not clear	34.9
C) There are many cases in which Japan's current economic cooperation is ineffective due to lack of consideration for local situations and needs	30.2
D) Do not feel that Japan's economic cooperation is appreciated by developing countries	31.6
E) Economic cooperation is not fully utilized as Japan's diplomatic tool	23.7
F) Current economic assistance is inefficient, in such areas as coordination with related agencies, management and operation of donated equipment, etc.	15.3
G) Japan's financial situation is not good	49.3
H) Others	2.3
I) No specific reason	0.5
J) Don't know	1.2

3. Japan’s role in the United Nations

Q6. Currently more than 100 countries send personnel for UN peacekeeping operations (PKOs). Japan has participated in international humanitarian assistance activities, such as PKOs in Cambodia, Golan Heights and East Timor; refugee relief activities in Rwanda, Afghanistan, Iraq and Sudan; and international election monitoring activities in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and East Timor. Do you think Japan should participate in these humanitarian contributions to international society, including PKOs, in the future? Choose one of the following.

A) Should participate more actively than before	25.4%
B) Should participate at the current level	50.6
C) Should participate but at a minimal level	14.6
D) Should not participate	2.6
E) Others	0.6
F) Don't know	6.3

Q7. 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 joining the permanent members of the Security Council? Choose one of the following.

A) Support	43.8%
B) Tend to support	31.4
C) Tend to oppose	6.9
D) Oppose	2.2
E) Others	0.1
F) Don't know	15.5

SQa. For those who answered, “support” or “tend to support” in Q7, why do you think that way? Choose one of the following. (N=1,282)

A) Japan should actively contribute to world peace since it has become an economic superpower.	18.6%
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.	34.1
C) Helps world peace, as Japan does not have nuclear weapons and has pacifism as its basic principle	26.7
D) Japan can reflect its ideas on important UN decisions	10.8
E) Will allow Japan to help UN activities more actively	7.7
F) Others	--
G) Don't know	2.1

SQb. For those who answered, “tend to oppose” or “oppose” in Q7, why do you think that way? Choose one of the following. (N=156)

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	29.5%
B) Once Japan becomes a permanent member of the Security Council, it will have to actively participate in the UN's military operations	28.2
C) Can make enough international contributions in such non-military areas as economic, social and environmental areas without becoming a permanent member of the Security Council	17.9
D) Should revise the Constitution before Japan becomes a permanent member of the Security Council	5.8
E) Don't support the United Nations per se	9.6
F) Others	4.5
G) Don't know	4.5

4. External economy

Q8. On which areas do you think Japan should focus when it promotes its economic relations with foreign countries? Choose as many as apply.
(M.T.= 230.6%)

A) Promotion of liberalization of trade and investment, including utilization of such mechanisms as free trade agreements (FTAs), economic partnership agreements (EPAs) with specific countries and regions, and World Trade Organization (WTO) initiatives.	29.6%
B) Securing energy resources	65.0
C) Securing food	37.3
D) Promotion of direct investment to Japan	8.8
E) Support for Japanese corporations' overseas activities	26.2
F) Protection of intellectual property rights, including patents	16.8
G) Promotion of tourism to Japan	14.7
H) Promotion of understanding about Japanese economy among foreign countries (more active public relations)	22.4
I) Others	0.2
J) Don't know	9.6

5. Cultural Exchange

Q9. In which areas in its cultural exchanges with other nations do you think Japan should put more emphasis? Choose up to two from the following.
(M.T.= 183.9%)

A) Scholarly, cultural, and arts exchanges	16.9
B) Youth exchanges	31.6
C) Student exchanges	18.8
D) Sports exchanges	26.7
E) Exchanges at the regional level, such as citizen groups, and local governments	10.6
F) Introducing Japanese traditional cultural (flower arranging, tea, kabuki, etc.)	14.8
G) Introducing contemporary Japan (correctly depicting contemporary Japan abroad through performances, exhibitions, and images)	16.7
H) Introducing to the Japan of foreign cultures	10.4
I) Japanese language diffusion	6.6
J) Promotion of Japanese studies in foreign countries	4.2
K) Intellectual exchanges (holding seminars, symposiums, and exchanges with collaborative research organizations)	8.2
L) Cooperation in the preservation of foreign historical artifacts and remains	9.6
M) Providing funds for purchasing the equipment and facilities needed for cultural activities free of charge	2.1
N) Other	0.2
O) Don't know	6.5

6. Protection of Japanese nationals

Q10. What do you think about protection of, and support for, Japanese nationals who have encountered such incidents as traffic accidents, crimes, terror, and sickness overseas? Choose one of the following.

A) Individuals or home companies/organizations should be responsible for dealing with them on their own.	6.9%
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.	40.3
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.	23.1
D) Under any circumstance, the government, embassies and consulates should provide protection and support	24.9
E) Other	0.5
F) Don't know	4.2

7. Roles that Japan should play

Q11. Mainly, what roles do you think Japan should play in the international community? Please choose up to two of the following.
(M.T.= 180.6%)

A) Contributions to maintaining world peace such as cooperation toward peaceful resolutions of regional conflicts, disarmament, and non-proliferation	44.0%
B) International cooperation to protect internationally universal values, such as freedom, democracy and human rights.	20.0
C) Humanitarian support for refugees and displaced people (especially children and women)	26.8
D) Contributions to advancing a healthy world economy	16.8
E) Cooperation to advance developing countries	14.3
F) Contributions to solving global issues such as global environmental problems	45.4
G) Contributions to international cultural exchanges, such as cooperation in preserving cultural heritages throughout the world.	5.3
H) Others	0.1
I) Don't know	7.9

<Fact sheet>

F1. Gender

Male	47.1%
Female	52.9

F2. Age. How old are you?

20-24	4.6%
25-29	5.3
30-34	5.6
35-39	7.2
40-44	8.5
45-49	6.7
50-54	8.2
55-59	11.5
60-64	10.6
65-69	12.4
70-	19.5

F3. Occupation. What is your occupation?

Self-employed
Agriculture, forestry and fishery	2.6%
Business, engineering and service	6.1
Freelance	1.0

Family business employee
Agriculture, forestry and fishery	1.2
Business, engineering and service	1.7
Freelance	0.5

Employee
Manager	2.6
Expert, technician	2.1
Clerical worker	16.3
Laborer	20.8

Unemployed
Housewife	24.8
Student	1.9
Others	18.4

F4. Overseas Experience. Have you been to a foreign country? Please choose one of the following.

A) Have lived in a foreign country for longer than three months	3.3%
B) Have been to a foreign country	51.8
C) Have never been to a foreign country	44.8

Age group breakdown for Q1

United States

	A) Feel close	B) Tend to feel close	C) Tend not to feel close	D) Don't feel close	E) Don't know
Total	31.9%	41.3	12.9	9.2	4.7
20-29	25.9	45.3	17.6	8.2	2.9
30-39	29.2	50.9	12.5	6.3	1.1
40-49	35.4	43.2	12.3	7.4	1.8
50-59	33.2	44.7	13.4	6.7	2.1
60-69	34.7	33.6	11.7	11.5	8.5
70-	29.7	33.4	11.7	14.8	10.3

China

	A) Feel close	B) Tend to feel close	C) Tend not to feel close	D) Don't feel close	E) Don't know
Total	6.5%	25.9	33.2	30.2	4.2
20-29	8.2	31.2	31.2	27.1	2.4
30-39	5.9	30.6	35.1	26.9	1.5
40-49	6.7	25.3	35.4	30.2	2.5
50-59	6.4	23.8	39.8	28.9	1.1
60-69	4.6	23.8	30.1	33.6	7.9
70-	8.3	24.5	25.9	32.4	9

South Korea

	A) Feel close	B) Tend to feel close	C) Tend not to feel close	D) Don't feel close	E) Don't know
Total	12.5%	38.7	24.8	19.5	4.6
20-29	18.2	42.9	22.4	13.5	2.9
30-39	14.0	44.6	25.1	14.4	1.8
40-49	15.1	39.6	26.0	16.8	2.5
50-59	9.9	38.5	28.1	21.1	2.4
60-69	10.4	35.2	25.1	21.3	7.9
70-	11.0	34.1	20.0	26.2	8.6

back to the top