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Naomi Ng

Seventy years after the end of the second world war, Japan is viewed more favourably than China, India or South Korea by members of the public in the Asia-Pacific region.
A study by a US-based think tank, the Pew Research Centre, found that 71 per cent of respondents had a favourable view of Japan – compared to just 57 per cent for China.
Positive views of Japan outweighed the negative by more than five-to-one, it found.

The survey, published on Thursday, comes as China holds a huge military parade to celebrate the end of a war in which Japanese aggression in the region left millions dead.
The centre interviewed more than 15,000 people in 10 Asia-Pacific nations and the US from April 6 to May 27.
While impressions of Japan overall were favourable, the poll also reflected the long standing animosity between China and Japan, with 53 per cent of Chinese respondents saying they were “very unfavourable” towards the country.
Almost half of Japanese respondents were “very unfavourable” towards China, possibly due to territorial disputes.

At an Asia-Africa summit in April, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed “deep remorse” for Japan’s wartime aggression, but this was largely viewed as a watered down apology by China and South Korea.
“Both the Chinese and the South Koreans believe that Japan has not apologised sufficiently for its military actions in the 1930s and 1940s,” the Pew report said.
Only 18 per cent of Chinese said they had confidence in Abe, and 63 per cent of South Koreans said they had no confidence in him at all. 


War? What war? Poll shows Asians view Japan more favourably than China

Japanese Prime Minister has come under fire from China and South Korea for offering a watered down apology for wartime aggression. Photo: Kyodo

Click to enlarge.

China and South Korea agree three-way summit with Japan could resume as early as October

South Korean President Park Geun-hye shakes hands with President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Central Beijing turns into ghost town, as shops and hotels shut ahead of military parade   

Large crowds are often seen visiting Tiananmen Square (left), but on Wednesday morning - the day before the parade - the area was almost deserted (right). Photos:  Mark Ralston and Simon Song

Foodies usually throng Wangfujing's snack street in Beijing, but security measures for Thursday's parade have driven away most business. Photo: Simon Song

Armed policemen stand guard on Changan Avenue in Beijing. Photo: Simon Song

A security fence encircles Oriental Plaza on Changan Avenue near Tiananmen Square. The hotel has been closed since Tuesday. Photo: Simon Song

Tourist attractions and shopping streets will shut for the big event. Photo: SCMP Pictures

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