Cabinet Office (内閣府) on 1st December announced the result of "Foreign Diplomacy Survey", showing 20.4% of people think recent Japan-US relations are not good, which is doubled than last year's 11.6%. In recent 10 years it is for the first time exceeded 20% who have negative respond about the relationship with US, which is allied nation of Japan.

Though Foreign Ministry (外務省) stated that there is no specific reason found for this, Japanese people have deep concern in their mind that the pending North Korea's abduction issue might be left behind, since there is opinion in US administration to release the nation from supporter of terrorism.

This survey was conducted from 4th to 14th October 2007, targeting 3,000 adults nationwide, and its effective collection rate was 58.6%.

Among the response for Japan-US relationship, 76.3% are feeling "Good" or "Kid of good", which is dropped by 6.4 points than the last time. Moreover, the point for "Good" response declined by 19.7% which was 36.0% in the previous survey. Meanwhile, each breakup of the negative responses is increased comparing with the previous survey as 16.7% feel "Not so good" and 3.6% say "Not good".

Mr. Kenichi Ito, Administrative Director of Japan International Forum (日本国際フォーラム) stated, "Other nations in the world consider US as threat to become more powerful nation, hence its popularity is keep declining. Japanese people are influenced by such thought and lost their opinion. Japanese people should not forget the fact that the Asian development was only possible because of Japan-US alliance"

Further, percentage of people considering relation with China as "Good" is 26.4% which has increased by 4.7% than last survey. Foreign Ministry said "This figure is the result of mutual visit of Shinzo Abe (former Prime Minster) and Wen Jiabao (Chinese Prime Minster)". However 68.0% people are still thinking the relationship with China is "Not good" and remained very high rate though it is decreased by 2 points.

The opinion on Japan's permanent member of the Security Council quoted 80.2% as agreed (increased 5 points), which is highest since the survey started on 1975.

(Bhagyada)