In the current issue, we offer a visual summary of polling data about Japan. The graphics are included below, and we are also pleased to offer the original magazine pages for download (in the Adobe PDF file format). To see those pages, click here.

The Japanese like Americans and see themselves as partners with the United States. The Japanese are more concerned about China and worry about its military power.

Q: Do you think. . . ?

China's growing military power is. . .

A good thing for Japan . . 3%

A bad thing for Japan . . . 93%

(Source: Pew Global Attitudes, March-April 2006)

(Source: Pew Global Attitudes, March-April 2006)

The Japanese give thumbs up to globalization. The small island nation worries about global warming.

Q: How much do you. . .?

Personally worry about global warming

A great deal. . . . . . . . . . . . . 66%

A fair amount. . . . . . .27%

Only a little. . . . 6%

Not at all. . .1%

Note: Nineteen percent of U.S. respondents worried about global warming a great deal, 34 percent a fair amount, 26 percent only a little, and 21 percent not at all. Source: Pew Global Attitudes, March-April 2006.

Note: In the United States, 60 percent said globalization was mostly good for the U.S., 35 percent bad. Source: Global Views 2006.

Japanese attitudes on war and the military

The scars from World War II are still evident in Japanese attitudes, with a plurality believing Japan has not apologized sufficiently for its actions. Opposition to changing Article 9 of the Japanese constitution (which limits building a military) remains strong, even as Japanese leaders propose amending it.

Q: Overall, do you
think. . .?

Japan has apologized sufficiently for its military actions in the 1930s and 1940s

Has. . . . . . . . . . .40%

Has not. . . . . . . . . . 44%

Source: Pew Global Attitudes, March-April 2006.

Attitudes on American culture, education, and more

The Japanese embrace the spread of American culture and believe children need to speak English to succeed. Nearly six in ten say Japanese parents put too much presure on their children to do well in school.

Source: Pew Global Attitudes, July-August 2002.

Q: Has each change been for the. . .?

(Japanese responses)                                      Better         Worse

TV. . . . .54%. . . . . . .26%

Cell phones
. . . . . . . .49%. . . . . .37%

Birth control/family planning
. . . . . . . .32%. . . . . .29%

Fast food
. . . . . . . .27%. . . . . .54%

Q: In general, do you think. . .?

Japan's parents put too much pressure on their children to do well in school . . .59%

Not enough. . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . 9%

The right amount. . . . . . . . . . . . . .30%

Note: Fifteen percent of U.S. respondents said that American parents put too much pressure on their children to do well, 56 percent not enough, and 24 percent the right amount. Source: Pew Global Attitudes, March-April 2006.

Among U.S. respondents, 73 percent described the U.S. and Japan as "mostly partners," 41 percent felt that the way about the U.S. and China, and 18 percent China and Japan. Source for table on left: Global Views 2006.

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