1. Americans, Japanese:
Mutual Respect 70 Years After
the End of WWII

2. April 29, 2015 2www.pewresearch.org
Methodology
• Survey in the U.S. from February 12-15, 2015 of 1,000 respondents.
• Survey in Japan from January 30 to February 12, 2015 of 1,000
respondents.
• Based on nationally representative telephone interviews with adults 18
and older conducted under the direction of Princeton Survey Research
Associates International.
• The margin of sampling error for the U.S. is ±3.6% and ±3.2% for Japan.

3. April 29, 2015 3www.pewresearch.org
Americans, Japanese Trust Each Other, Both Wary of China,
Differ on Japan’s Military Role

4. COMPARATIVE VIEWS OF HISTORY
April 29, 2015 4www.pewresearch.org

5. April 29, 2015 5www.pewresearch.org
Americans: WWII, Tsunami Most Important Events in U.S.-
Japan Relations
31%
31
23
8
20%
17
36
14
U.S. Japan
2011 earthquake &
tsunami in Japan
World War II
U.S.-Japan military alliance
since World War II
U.S.-Japan “trade wars” of
the 1980s & early 1990s
Which one of these events is most important to U.S.-Japan relations over the last 75 years?

6. April 29, 2015 6www.pewresearch.org
More than Half of Americans and Japanese Put WWII Behind Them
37%
48
29% 28
24%
15
U.S. Japan
Yes, Japan has apologized sufficiently
No, Japan has not apologized sufficiently
No apology necessary
Has Japan apologized sufficiently for its actions during World War II?
Note: 2013 question wording asks about Japan’s “military actions during the 1930s and 1940s.”
Source: Japan data from Spring 2013 Global Attitudes survey.

7. April 29, 2015 7www.pewresearch.org
But Japanese, Americans Disagree on Bombing of Hiroshima, Nagasaki
56%
14
34%
79
U.S. Japan
Justified Not justified
Using the atomic bomb on Japanese cities in 1945 was …
Note: Full question wording: “As you may know, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki in August 1945 near the end of World War II. Looking back, would you say using the atomic bomb on Japanese
cities in 1945 was justified or was it not justified?”

8. BROAD, MUTUAL RESPECT
April 29, 2015 8www.pewresearch.org

9. April 29, 2015 9www.pewresearch.org
Widespread American Trust in Japan
U.S. can trust Japan a great deal/fair amount
68%
76
59
73
56
75
60
67
69
56
75
Total
Men
Women
White
Non-white
18-29
30-49
50-64
65+
At least some college
High school or less

10. April 29, 2015 10www.pewresearch.org
Japan Trusted by Republicans, Democrats, Independents
U.S. can trust Japan a great deal/fair amount
69%
66
71
Republican Democrat Independent

11. April 29, 2015 11www.pewresearch.org
Among Japanese Similarly Widespread Trust in the U.S.
Japan can trust the U.S. a great deal/fair amount
75%
82
68
76
75
75
75
73
78
Total
Men
Women
18-29
30-49
50-64
65+
Junior college or more
High school or less

12. THE U.S.-JAPAN ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP
April 29, 2015 12www.pewresearch.org

13. April 29, 2015 13www.pewresearch.org
Americans Now See Japan as a Fair Trader
Japan has a __ trade policy with the U.S.
1989 1993 1997 2015
‘89-’15
Change
% % % %
Fair 22 14 19 55 +33
Unfair 63 72 64 24 -39
Don’t
know
15 11 16 20 +5
Note: 1997 data from “America’s Place in the World” survey. 1993 and 1989 data from the Times Mirror Center for the People &
the Press.

14. April 29, 2015 14www.pewresearch.org
Americans See Japan, Not China, as Fair Trader
Japan/China has a __ trade policy with the U.S.
55%
37
24%
48
Japan China
Fair Unfair

15. THE U.S., JAPAN AND CHINA
April 29, 2015 15www.pewresearch.org

16. April 29, 2015 16www.pewresearch.org
For Americans, China’s Rise Means Japan Relations Are
More Important
The rise of China as a military and economic power makes relations between the U.S. & Japan …
60%
6
29
More important Less important Makes no difference

17. April 29, 2015 17www.pewresearch.org
Nevertheless, Americans Want Stronger Economic Ties with China
It is more important for the U.S. to have strong economic ties with …
43% 36%
12%
9%
Neither (VOL)/
Don't know
China
Both
(VOL)
Japan

18. April 29, 2015 18www.pewresearch.org
And Americans Are Divided on Japan’s Future Military Role
in Asia
Japan should __ in helping to maintain peace and stability in regional affairs
47%
43
Play a more active military role Limit its military role

19. THE U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONSHIP THROUGH EACH OTHERS’
EYES
April 29, 2015 19www.pewresearch.org

20. April 29, 2015 20www.pewresearch.org
Americans, Japanese See Each Other Through Different Lenses
American views
of Japanese
Japanese views
of Americans
% %
Hardworking 94 25
Inventive 75 67
Honest 71 37
Intolerant 36 29
Aggressive 31 50
Selfish 19 47
Which characteristics do you associate with __

21. April 29, 2015 21www.pewresearch.org
For Americans, the First Thing about Japan that Comes to Mind Is …
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Japan? Out of 1,000 Americans
surveyed, number saying …
Note: These are the numbers of respondents who offered each of the top responses. These are NOT percentages. Distinct words
or phrases mentioned by at least 15 people shown.