Record 93 Pct of Japanese Have Negative Feelings about China

Tokyo, Sept. 9 (Jiji Press)--A record 93.0 pct of Japanese have a negative impression of China, an annual survey by a Japanese nonprofit organization and a Chinese newspaper revealed Tuesday. The figure, up 2.9 percentage points from the previous year, was the highest since the survey by Genron NPO and the China Daily began in 2005. ] In contrast, the proportion of Chinese with a negative impression of Japan declined 6.0 points to 86.8 pct, according to the survey conducted in July and August. Many of these Chinese cited the issue of the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands in the East China Sea, which have been claimed by China, and the Japanese government's view of history. Meanwhile, many of the Japanese respondents with a negative impression of China cited Beijing's violation of international rules and its selfish way to secure resources and energy. "China's behavior has raised concerns among Japanese people," Genron NPO President Yasushi Kudo said. The survey questioned people aged 18 or over in the two countries. Valid responses were received from 1,000 Japanese and 1,539 Chinese. END