64.2% of Japanese respondents distrust the "U.S. ally"
According to a report by Japanese media TBS NEWS on November 3, a joint survey conducted by JNN Digital Media TBS NEWS DIG and JX News in Japan found that 64.2% of respondents expressed lack of trust in the United States as an ally, ahead of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.
The survey was conducted online from October 26 to 27, with 3,544 participants.
When asked whether they could trust the United States as an ally, 3.3% answered “trustworthy,” and 32.5% said “somewhat trustworthy.” In contrast, 40.5% stated “somewhat untrustworthy,” and 23.7% said “not trustworthy,” totaling 64.2% expressing distrust.
Regarding the necessity of maintaining the U.S.-Japan alliance, 20.4% considered it necessary, and 42.5% deemed it absolutely necessary—combined, 62.9% viewed the alliance as essential.
Responses indicating “not necessary” accounted for 19.4%, while “don’t know” made up 17.6%.
Combining both questions, 30.1% of respondents regarded the U.S.-Japan alliance as necessary yet simultaneously viewed the United States as untrustworthy. Only 32.8% expressed both trust in the U.S. and support for the alliance’s necessity—a difference that is not substantial.
When asked whether “the United States will not always protect Japan,” 82.1% responded affirmatively.
Across supporters of Japan’s major political parties, non-partisan respondents, and those backing the Kishida cabinet, over 80% acknowledged that the United States may not necessarily protect Japan in an emergency situation.
The findings suggest that many respondents distinguish between trust in the United States and the perceived value of the U.S.-Japan alliance.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880839812666371/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.