In a joint opinion poll conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun and the South Korean newspaper Hankook Ilbo, 88% of Japanese and 72% of South Korean respondents said the increasing military pressure China is putting on its neighbors is a threat to their countries.

Japanese and South Korean respondents expressed a strong sense of caution against China in the survey, which was conducted in Japan and South Korea on May 21-23.

On the U.S. policy of increasing pressure on China over diplomatic, security and human rights issues, 59% of Japanese and 64% of South Koreans said their country should side with the United States.

Meanwhile, 68% of respondents in both countries said Japan-South Korea relations should be improved to counter China and North Korea.

The survey results show that people in both countries feel the need to cooperate with the United States and to improve Japan-South Korea ties.

However, there were differences of opinion regarding economic relations with China. In Japan, 48% of respondents said the current situation should be maintained, 23% said ties should be strengthened, and 22% said they should be lessened. Meanwhile, 42% of South Koreans said ties should be strengthened, 33% said the current situation should be maintained, and 21% said ties should be lessened.

Survey: 88% of Japanese, 72% of South Koreans see China as military threat — American Military News

Categories: Defence & Aerospace

Tags: China, Japan, News, South Korea