The reason why South Koreans have low trust in Japan is apparently due to the worsening relationship between the two countries as the Japanese government continues to deny its past history. (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — According to a survey conducted by Japan Press Research Institute (JPRI), a public-interest incorporated foundation in Japan, four out of five South Koreans do not trust Japan.
The JPRI released the results of its survey of 1,000 people in each of six countries including the U.S., Britain, France, China, South Korea and Thailand conducted in November and December last year.
When asked if they could trust Japan, 79.4 percent of South Korean respondents said they could not trust Japan and only 18.1 percent said they could trust Japan.
The figure is similar to that of last year’s survey.
The distrust of Japan was severe in neighboring countries such as South Korea and China, with 65.7 percent of Chinese respondents answering that Japan cannot be trusted, while 32.4 percent said Japan can be trusted.
The reason why South Koreans have low trust in Japan is apparently due to the worsening relationship between the two countries as the Japanese government continues to deny its past history.
The survey also surveyed likeability towards Japan, in which only 32 percent of South Koreans answered positively.
This indicates a drop of 6.3 percent from the previous year, the lowest level since the survey was first conducted in 2014.
Despite the low level of trust and likeability towards Japan, 55.4 percent of South Korean respondents have visited Japan, which was much higher than the other countries taking part in the survey.
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
