TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's representative office in Japan released a survey on Monday (Dec. 1) revealing that 74.5% of Japanese people feel an affinity toward Taiwan, with 68.5% believing Taiwan-Japan relations are positive. Lee I-yang (李逸洋), Taiwan's representative to Japan, expressed gratitude to the Japanese public, noting their understanding of the distinct identities between the Taiwanese and Chinese people.
The Central Research Services conducted the survey from Oct. 24 to 28, targeting 1,000 Japanese respondents aged 20 to 89. This biennial survey, initiated in 2016, highlight the goodwill and trust Japanese society maintains toward Taiwan. Notably, 63.6% of respondents trust Taiwan, attributing this sentiment to the country's friendliness toward Japan and its shared values of freedom and democracy.
Among major Asian countries, 44% of respondents felt closest to Taiwan, underscoring the significant standing Taiwan holds in the hearts of the Japanese public. The survey also showed that 73.5% of Japanese respondents view Taiwan as friendly, followed by 43% who appreciate Taiwanese cuisine and 36.5% who acknowledge historical ties between the two nations.
Looking ahead, 54.3% of respondents expect Taiwan-Japan relations to continue developing, with tourism, economic, and political exchanges as top priorities for enhancement. However, concerns remain, with the Taiwan Strait situation's impact on Japan being the most worrisome issue. As a result, Lee emphasized the need for enhanced Taiwan-Japan exchanges and cooperation, urging Taiwanese citizens to collectively work towards further improving Taiwan's image.