Polls & Research

Most Japanese Regard North Korea as Threat

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Japan believe a neighbouring nation is dangerous, according to a poll by Yomiuri. 80 per cent of respondents consider North Korea as a military threat. China is second on the list with 55 per cent, followed by Russia with 39 per cent.

Kim Jong-il has been the de-facto leader of North Korea since the death of his father, Kim Il Song, in 1994. North Korea was branded as part of an "axis of evil" by U.S. president George W. Bush in January 2002. In February 2005, the government of North Korea admitted publicly for the first time that it possesses nuclear weapons.

In July, North Korea launched seven missiles—including the Taepodong-2—which landed in the Sea of Japan close to Russian coastal areas. On Oct. 9, the country announced it had successfully carried out a test detonation of a nuclear weapon.

On Oct. 18, Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe declared that his government would not pursue nuclear weapons, saying, "The debate is finished." On Nov. 20, Abe discussed the issue once again, saying, "In my meeting with (Chinese president Hu Jintao), I reiterated that Japan will not obtain nuclear weapons. I also spoke of the necessity for nuclear countries to reduce their arsenals."

The U.S., China, Japan, Russia and South Korea have held five rounds of talks with North Korea to discuss the country's nuclear program. Earlier this month, negotiations began again in China. North Korea has demanded an end to financial sanctions imposed in 2005 as a condition for disarming. Japanese negotiator Kenichiro Sasae rejected the proposal, saying, "The position of the North Korean delegation is wide apart from the rest of us and we cannot accept it."

Polling Data

Which of these countries do you consider as military threats to Japan?