A joint opinion poll has revealed that nearly 90% of respondents in Japan and China hold negative views of each other’s countries. While Japanese negativity towards China decreased slightly, Chinese negativity towards Japan surged significantly. Key issues cited include the Senkaku Islands dispute and Taiwan tensions, with social media influence also noted as a contributing factor.

A recent opinion poll conducted by Japan’s Genron NPO and the China International Communications Group revealed that nearly 90 percent of individuals in both Japan and China harbor negative perceptions of each other. Although the percentage of Japanese respondents expressing unfavorable views of China decreased to 89.0 percent—down by 3.2 percentage points from the previous year—the percentage of Chinese participants with negative views towards Japan surged to 87.7 percent, marking a significant increase of 24.8 percentage points. This development is noteworthy as it represents the highest level of negativity since 2013, following Japan’s nationalization of the Senkaku Islands.

Participants cited several reasons for their negative views, including ongoing territorial disputes related to the Senkaku Islands and tensions surrounding Taiwan. Additionally, allegations of espionage involving Japanese nationals detained in China contributed to the strained perceptions. Interestingly, an overwhelming 59.6 percent of Chinese respondents signified that they view Japan-China relations as unimportant, a drastic shift of 40.5 percentage points, while only 26.3 percent deemed these ties important following a 33.8 percentage point decline.

Social media platforms, especially China’s Weibo and Douyin (the local version of TikTok), played a significant role in shaping public opinion, fostering rampant anti-Japanese sentiment among users. The influence of these platforms appears pronounced, particularly among individuals who have not visited Japan, indicating a potential correlation between online exposure and negative sentiment.

The relationship between Japan and China has been historically fraught with tensions, stemming from a combination of territorial disputes, historical grievances, and geopolitical rivalries. The Senkaku Islands, which are administered by Japan but claimed by China, have been a longstanding point of contention between the two nations. Furthermore, the events surrounding Taiwan continue to be a source of friction. The public perceptions in each country have been shaped by historical events and contemporary media narratives, which often exacerbate negative feelings when discussing cross-national relations. Polls like the one conducted by Genron NPO and the China International Communications Group serve to highlight prevailing sentiments within both populations, providing a clearer understanding of how contemporary issues affect public opinion. This particular poll sheds light on the increasing negativity that characterizes the relationship between Japan and China, as evidenced by the striking changes in respondents’ views over the past year.

In conclusion, the recent polling data illustrates a troubling trend in the Japan-China relationship, with nearly 90 percent of people in both nations harboring negative views of one another. The decline in unfavorable opinions from Japan regarding China contrasts sharply with the rising negativity from China towards Japan. With social media playing a formidable role in shaping these perceptions and public attitudes, it will be vital for policymakers in both countries to address these sentiments to foster better diplomatic relations moving forward.

Original Source: www.nippon.com

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