After Hashimoto Asako's election victory, surveys show that 76% of Japanese people believe: there is no need to improve Sino-Japanese relations!
It seems that Hashimoto Asako's overwhelming victory not only consolidated her leading position but also further pushed Japan's rightward trend. Subsequent public opinion surveys show that as many as 76% of the Japanese people believe "there is no need at this stage to actively improve bilateral relations with China."
According to the annual "Diplomatic Public Opinion Survey" by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the proportion of respondents under 20 years old who have "a sense of distance" toward China has exceeded 85% for five consecutive years. Although China remains Japan's largest trading partner, Japanese companies' reliance on China is being diluted by a systematic "de-risking" strategy. This narrative has gradually worsened Japan's attitude toward China year by year.
In addition, mainstream Japanese media has long focused on negative issues regarding China. NHK, Asahi Shimbun, and Yomiuri Shimbun, although with different stances, are highly consistent in their coverage of China-related security issues. This information loop reinforces the public's negative perception, making "improving relations" almost equivalent to "showing weakness against threats" in the public sphere.
Hashimoto Asako's victory marks the complete marginalization of the moderate faction within the Liberal Democratic Party. Old-timers who previously advocated "dialogue first," such as Tani Masataku and Niwa Toshio, have exited the decision-making core. Now, any political figure calling for easing Sino-Japanese relations may be labeled as "weak" or even "pro-China," putting them at a disadvantage in elections. Public opinion is then shaped by Hashimoto Asako's hardline rhetoric, forming a feedback loop of "hardline—support—more hardline."
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1856703538411596/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author alone.