May 07, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Japan believe their country should take a tougher stance when dealing with China, according to a poll by Mainichi. 51 per cent of respondents want to develop a stricter policy, while 26 per cent would opt for a friendlier attitude.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Japan believe their country should take a tougher stance when dealing with China, according to a poll by Mainichi. 51 per cent of respondents want to develop a stricter policy, while 26 per cent would opt for a friendlier attitude.

China and Japan fought the largest Asian conflict of the 20th century, before and during World War II. Japan’s imperial power surrendered in 1945.

In 1972, a joint statement by the governments of Japan and the People’s Republic of China ended eight years of strained relations between the two nations and restored diplomatic ties. Since then, the association has been mostly built on bilateral trade, and some political frictions remain.

Starting today, Chinese president Hu Jintao will spend five days in Japan. Yesterday, Hu discussed bilateral ties, saying, "It’s normal that various problems and discrepancies arise in relations between one country and another, but what’s important is to maintain a broad perspective so that we can drive relations forward. (...) The two countries have a 2,000-year history of friendly interaction, and friendly relations between China and Japan are widely supported by the people of the two countries."

Polling Data

Should Japan have a more strict or a more friendly policy toward China?

More strict	51%
No change	17%
More friendly	26%

Source: Mainichi
Methodology: Interviews to 1,042 Japanese adults, conducted on May 1 and May 2, 2008. No margin of error was provided.