A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that 68 percent of Americans trust Japan, while an overwhelming 75 percent of Japanese trust the U.S.
“I feel that the reason for the high level of trust between the United States and Japan is aided by the strong economic and political partnership between the two countries,” said Priscilla Ouchida, executive director of the Japanese American Citizens League.
Surveys conducted in January and February found 26 percent of Americans trust Japan a “great deal,” and 42 percent trust it a “fair amount.” About 10 percent of Japanese trust the United States a great deal, and 65 percent trust it a fair amount.
There were differences in the survey results based on gender, race and education level. In both countries, men were more likely to trust the other country than women. In the U.S., whites were more likely to trust Japan than non-whites, and people with at least some college education were more likely to trust Japan than people without a college education.
The study cited the economic ties between the two nations as an important component of their relationship. Japan is the second-largest foreign investor and fourth-largest trading partner to the U.S., according to Pew.
Kirstyn Flood, a freshman double majoring in journalism and government and politics, said was not surprised by the results of the study.
“I don’t think it’s surprising that people trust Japan because it seems that the only issue we’ve had with Japan was World War II,” Flood said. “That seems like the only issue, I guess, in modern day times, compared to a lot of other countries that we’ve been having issues with.”
Casey Gawron, a freshman biology major from New Jersey, said the high level of trust the Japanese have for the U.S. surprised her, based on the military history between the countries. She commented, “If anything, I would not trust America if I were Japanese.”
The study revealed differences in American and Japanese attitudes towards other Southeast Asian countries, particularly China. About 30 percent of U.S. respondents and just 7 percent of Japanese respondents said they trust China, while 47 percent of Americans and just 23 percent of Japanese thought Japan should play a more active military role in the region.
Ouchida predicted the relationship between the U.S. and Japan will be important for the region.
“Japan is a trusted ally, and the future of the region depends on close relationships with Japan. The relationship is mutually beneficial,” she said.
Ouchida said that the relationship between the countries is very positive, adding, “Relations between the United States and Japan is one of the great success stories of how two nations who were once bitter enemies developed one of the strongest bilateral relationships in the world.”
“Today we share common ground with Japan on every level,” she said.
Photo by U.S. Naval War College via Creative Commons 2.0
