Takaichi and Lee Jae-myung's Interaction Bears Fruit: Japan-South Korea Favorability Hits 16-Year High

(Central News Agency, Tokyo, by reporter Dai Yazhen) Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun and South Korea's The Korea Daily on Monday released the results of a joint opinion poll conducted in May. The proportion of respondents who view current Japan-South Korea relations as "good" hit a record high in both countries since the survey began in 2010, with 59% of Japanese and 66% of South Korean respondents giving a positive assessment, indicating a continued warming of bilateral ties.

According to the survey, the stable interaction between Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is seen as a key factor in improving Japan-South Korea relations. Since 2013, negative assessments of bilateral relations had long been in the majority in both countries, but in recent years, positive assessments have gradually surpassed negative ones.

When asked whether the two countries' leaders should further deepen relations to promote bilateral cooperation, 77% of respondents in Japan and 80% in South Korea expressed support. Since taking office, Takaichi and Lee have continued to promote "shuttle diplomacy" through mutual visits by leaders, strengthening political and economic exchanges.

Furthermore, mutual affinity between the two peoples has also improved simultaneously. In Japan, 49% of respondents said they feel a sense of closeness to South Korea, while in South Korea, 43% said they feel close to Japan, both marking the highest levels since 2013.

On security issues, the proportion supporting stronger Japan-South Korea defense cooperation was 59% in Japan and 52% in South Korea. Although this is down from 71% and 63% respectively last year, it still remains above the majority.

Regarding deeper trilateral security cooperation among Japan, the U.S., and South Korea, 81% of Japanese and 85% of South Korean respondents were in favor.

Notably, trust in U.S. President Donald Trump was generally low in both countries. The proportion who said he is "not trustworthy" reached 62% in Japan and a high of 82% in South Korea, while those who said he is "trustworthy" were only 20% and 15%, respectively.

Against the backdrop of China's expanding maritime influence, the importance of Japan-U.S.-South Korea cooperation is gradually becoming a consensus. However, distrust in both Japan and South Korea over whether the Trump administration values its allies is growing, leading to an increasing number of voices calling for more diverse security cooperation partners.

The survey shows that a growing number of respondents believe they should not rely excessively on the U.S. in the security field, but should strengthen cooperation with each other and with countries that value international law, such as the UK and Australia. This view was held by 65% in Japan and 71% in South Korea.

The joint poll was conducted by telephone in mid-May, targeting eligible voters aged 18 and over. It obtained 1,040 valid samples in Japan and 1,000 valid samples in South Korea. (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150609