* This report has been translated from the Korean version. The Korean version can be found here.

Survey Overview
Between May and June 2018, the East Asia Institute (EAI), a private Korean think tank, and Japanese NGO The Genron NPO conducted joint public opinion polls in South Korea and Japan. The objective of this survey is to monitor the state of mutual public perceptions between Japanese and South Korean people and examine how it is changing over time, ultimately narrowing the current perception gap by promoting mutual understanding between the two countries.

The results of the poll were presented at the “Korea-Japan Future Dialogue” on June 22nd and served as the basis for discussion.

The opinion poll in South Korea was conducted from May 21st to 31st through face-to-face interviews targeting men and women aged 19 and older. The number of valid samples obtained was 1,014. Forty-nine point seven percent were men and 50.3% women. The final academic qualifications of respondents were as follows: 5.9% had an elementary school education; 7.5% had a middle school education; 41.2% had a high school education;11.5% were either currently enrolled or had completed some university/junior college;31.8% had obtained a bachelor’s degree; and 2.1% had obtained a graduate or postgraduate degree. The age distribution of respondents was as follows: 17.6% were between the ages of 19 and 29; 16.9% were between the ages of 30 and 39; 20.3% were between the ages of 40 and 49; 19.9% were between the ages of 50 and 59; and 25.3% were over age 60.

The opinion poll in Japan was conducted between May 19thandJune 3rd through door-to-door visits and self-administered, targeting men and women aged 18 and older. The number of valid samples obtained was 1,000, of whom 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women. The final academic qualifications of respondents were as follows: 9% had completed middle school; 44.2% had completed high school; 20.3% had completed junior college or technical school; 22.6%had obtained a bachelor’s degree; 1.5% had obtained a graduate or postgraduate degree; and 1.7%selected ‘other’. The age distribution of respondents was as follows: 2.4% were below the age of 20; 12% were between the ages of 20 and 29; 14.7% were between the ages of 30 and 39; 17.4% were between the ages of 40 and 49, 14.6% were between the ages of 50 and 59, and 38.9% were above age 60.

1. Perceptions of South Koreans and Japanese People towards One Another

1-1. What do South Koreans and Japanese People Think of One Another?

【Figure 1. What is your impression of South Korea/Japan?】

※The data for "Favorable" represents the combined figure of people who responded either "Favorable” or “Mostly Favorable." The data for "Unfavorable” represents the combined figure of people who responded either "Unfavorable" or "Mostly Unfavorable".

【Figure 2.  South Korean and Japanese perceptions of one another (Changes over the last 6 years)】