Japan and America in the age of Trump; part 1 of 3

This large-scale survey from NHK’s Broadcast Culture Research Centre looked at Japan and America, with particular focus on the current Trump regime. This will be posted over three nights in chunks of around 9 questions each.

I’m slightly surprised at the relatively positive view of many aspects of Trump’s policies, of not at their effects on Japan, but perhaps that is more a reflection of my media consumption. Japanese broadcast media mainly treats him as a normal president; only his more massive gaffes make headlines here.

Reseach results

Q1: How interested are you in the 2020 USA presidential election?

Very interested	20.2%
Somewhat interested	53.5%
Not very interested	21.5%
Not interested at all	4.3%
No answer	0.6%

Q2: What effect would Trump’s re-election have on Japan?

Mostly positive effects	10.3%
Mostly negative effects	57.0%
No particular effect	31.5%
No answer	1.2%

Q3: What do you think of “America First”, the Trump government putting the greatest priority on their own country’s profit?

Good thing	19.2%
Not good thing	79.8%
No answer	1.0%

Q4: How has America’s international influence changed under the Trump government?

Strengthened	44.6%
Weakened	24.8%
Not changed	29.2%
No answer	1.3%

Q5: How do you rate the current Japan-America relationship?

Extremely good	2.7%
Somewhat good	54.1%
Not so good	39.1%
Not good at all	3.0%
No answer	1.1%

Q6: In what direction is the Japan-America relationship heading?

Heading in a good direction	10.1%
Heading in a bad direction	24.4%
No change from today	64.3%
No answer	1.2%

Q7: What sort of relationship do you think Japan and America have these days?

A partnership of equals	6.4%
America has the advantage	92.0%
Japan has the advantage	0.4%
No answer	1.3%

Q8: Do you think America is a reliable, cooperative ally?

Yes	52.6%
No	45.9%
No answer	1.5%

Q9: America is allied with us under the US-Japan Security Treaty; in the future how do you think Japan should proceed?

Strengthen the alliance	18.2%
Maintain the current relationship	55.1%
Cooperate to a lesser degree than currently	21.9%
Aim to terminate the treaty	3.3%
No answer	1.5%

Demographics

Between that 13th of February and the 23rd of March 2020 3,600 people of the age of 18 were selected at random from resident registers all over the country to receive the survey via post. 2,195 people, or 61.0%, sent back completed surveys. The sample consisted of 45.3% male and 54.7% female, 9.4% between 18 and 29 years old, 10.0% in their thirties, 14.9% in their forties, 16.5% in their fifties 18.7% in their sixties, and 30.4% aged seventy or older.