More than 70 percent of Chinese students learning Japanese in China said they feel close with Japan, a sharp turnaround from a survey 10 years ago when diplomatic strains between the Asian neighbors were much higher.
Tokyo-based citizens group Kokusai Koryu Kenkyujo (Research institute on international exchange) carried out the survey between December and March of this year as 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Valid responses were received from 12,038 Chinese students studying Japanese in 172 universities across China, of which 10,339 were female and 1,699 were male.
Respondents who replied they "feel close" or "feel somewhat close" with Japan totaled 70.1 percent, which was a 21.5-percentage-point increase from the previous survey in 2005.
Those who said they "do not feel close" and "do not feel really close" totaled 23.1 percent, which was a 15.7-percentage-point decrease from the last survey.
Many of those who answered they feel close with Japan said they came to feel that way after entering university and as they got to know Japanese culture and met Japanese people. A female student from Henan province said: "As I watched historical TV dramas and read textbooks, I used to think Japan was a barbaric country, but I came to like Japan when I began studying the language."
Diplomatic relations between Japan and China nosedived after 2000 due to a range of factors, including repeated visits to war-related Yasukuni Shrine by the prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi.
The last survey was taken 10 years ago when anti-Japan demonstrations flared across China, mainly over Koizumi's visits to the shrine that memorializes 14 Class-A war criminals along with the war dead, as well as moves by Japan to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
The latest survey came as Japan and China are reaching out to mend their ties. The two nations held their first top-level meeting in two and a half years last November, which was followed up by a second summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Xi Jinping in April.
"Interest toward Japan among the Chinese population is increasing significantly, mainly through the expansion of trade, influx of Chinese tourists to Japan, and the spread of cultural exchanges," said Kazuo Omori, 75, who heads Kokusai Koryu Kenkyujo.
To the question, "What kind of relations do you think Japan and China will have 10 years from now?" 20.4 percent of the respondents replied, "More problematic than today" and "Hostile," which was a decrease by 8 percentage points from the 2005 survey. Those who replied "Even closer than today" totaled 49.1 percent, which was a 7.4-percentage-point increase.
However, respondents were more critical of Japan when asked about the perception of shared history between the two nations. One female student from Guangdong province wrote, "We want them to sincerely admit they invaded China." A female student from Zhejiang province wrote, "I wish Japanese prime ministers would not visit Yasukuni Shrine because it represents Japan's prewar militarism," while another female student from Jiangsu province wrote, "They should write about the war more accurately in their textbooks to educate their children."
Koji Oikawa, who is 45 and teaches Japanese in Chinese universities, said, "With Japan and China improving their diplomatic ties, especially since the start of this year, many Chinese feel that they are less likely to be criticized by others when they say, 'I have a good impression of Japan.' The changes taking place in society may well be the reason more Chinese students feel close with Japan now."
Japanese language departments exist at more than 600 universities across China, where about 700,000 students are enrolled. Many of the students often work for Japanese companies after they graduate.
POLL: 70% of students studying Japanese in China say they like Japan - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun
There are many Anime shows that centered in Japan in their fictional storylines. And lots and lots of cherry blossom trees are shown in Anime, which is part of the beauty of Japan.
.
