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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 007027 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA 
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION; 
TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; 
SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN, 
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA 
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR; 
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA. 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
SUBJECT:  DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 12/18/06-1 
 
 
INDEX: 
 
(1) Yomiuri-Gallup poll: More in Japan, US see bilateral ties in 
good shape; North Korea's nukes concern Japanese, Americans 
 
ARTICLES: 
 
(1) Yomiuri-Gallup poll: More in Japan, US see bilateral ties in 
good shape; North Korea's nukes concern Japanese, Americans 
 
YOMIURI (Page 14&15) (Full) 
December 16, 2006 
 
A recent Japan-US joint opinion poll conducted by the Yomiuri 
Shimbun and the Gallup Organization, a US pollster, posted an 
increase in the level of the Japanese public's confidence in the 
United States. In addition, the poll also found a rise in the 
Japanese public's appreciation of the Japan-US Security Treaty and 
the US military presence in Japan. This is because many people in 
Japan felt that North Korea's firing of missiles and its conducting 
of a nuclear test were grave threats to Japan's national security. 
An increasing number of people in Japan seem to be thinking that the 
United States is the only country Japan can rely on in the end. 
 
Questions & Answers 
(Figures shown in percentage) 
 
Q: Is there anything you trust in particular among the following 
organizations and public entities in your country? If any, pick as 
many as you like. 
 
                                                Japan        US 
Prime minister                                   53.8       --- 
Diet                                             30.4       --- 
Police, prosecutors                              42.1       --- 
Courts                                           61.3       --- 
Self-Defense Forces                              59.4       --- 
Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, churches       43.9       --- 
Central government offices                       23.8       --- 
Local governments                                34.2       --- 
Schools                                          35.7       --- 
Hospitals                                        55.6       --- 
Newspapers                                       67.6       --- 
Television                                       46.9       --- 
Big businesses                                   30.0       --- 
Labor unions                                     28.7       --- 
Other answers (O/A)                               0.4       --- 
Nothing in particular                             5.0       --- 
No answer (N/A)                                   0.4       --- 
 
                               Japan         US 
President                        ---       46.2 
Congress                         ---       47.6 
Police, prosecutors              ---       74.4 
Courts                           ---       63.7 
Armed services                   ---       86.5 
Churches                         ---       70.1 
Federal government offices       ---       51.4 
Local governments                ---       63.8 
Schools                          ---       71.8 
Hospitals                        ---       81.9 
Newspapers                       ---       52.3 
Television                       ---       43.6 
 
TOKYO 00007027  002 OF 007 
 
 
Big businesses                   ---       43.4 
Labor unions                     ---       45.5 
O/A                              ---       16.2 
Nothing in particular            ---       0.6 
N/A                              ---       --- 
 
Q: Do you think Japan-U.S. relations are currently in good shape, or 
do you otherwise think Japan-US relations are in bad shape? 
 
                     Japan         US 
Very good              3.2       15.9 
Good                  49.9       45.4 
Can't say which       19.6       24.3 
Bad                   21.1        6.1 
Very bad               1.4        1.0 
N/A                    4.9        7.3 
 
Q: Do you trust the US? 
 
                       Japan        US 
Yes, very much           8.7       --- 
Yes, somewhat           32.4       --- 
No, not very much       34.0       --- 
No, not at all          12.6       --- 
N/A                     12.3       --- 
 
 
Q: Do you trust Japan? 
 
                      Japan        US 
Yes, very much         ---       27.2 
Yes, somewhat          ---       48.5 
No, not very much      ---       14.6 
No, not at all          ---       6.2 
N/A                     ---       3.4 
 
Q: Do you think deregulation and other reforms will make further 
progress under Prime Minister Abe who came into office after Prime 
Minister Koizumi? 
 
       Japan       US 
Yes                           26.7       27.0 
Yes to a certain degree       12.4       35.3 
No to a certain degree        16.4        6.4 
No                            30.9        7.3 
N/A                           13.6       24.1 
 
Q: Do you think Japan-US relations will improve, worsen, or remain 
unchanged from now on with Prime Minister Abe in office? 
 
                      Japan         US 
Improve very much       1.3        3.0 
Improve                11.2       27.5 
Remain unchanged       75.1       50.9 
Worsen                  6.5        4.3 
Worsen very much        0.4        0.4 
N/A                     5.5       13.8 
 
Q: Do you think Japan-China relations will improve, worsen, or 
remain unchanged from now on with Prime Minister Abe in office? 
 
                      Japan         US 
Improve very much       2.1        0.9 
 
TOKYO 00007027  003 OF 007 
 
 
Improve                36.2       24.3 
Remain unchanged       46.5       38.1 
Worsen                  8.4       17.3 
Worsen very much        0.8        1.3 
N/A                     6.0       18.1 
 
 
Q: If there is a country or area that you think will become a 
military threat to your country, pick as many as you like from among 
those listed below. 
 
                              Japan         US 
US                             23.6        --- 
Japan                           ---       16.2 
South Korea                    24.4       24.4 
China                          54.5       44.4 
ASEAN                          11.9       24.2 
EU                              8.7       12.3 
Russia                         38.9       27.5 
Taiwan                          8.8       11.4 
North Korea                    79.6       75.1 
India                          15.1       12.2 
Middle East                    29.0       78.0 
Oceania                         4.9        4.6 
Africa                          5.6       10.4 
Central and South America       6.8       18.6 
O/A                             0.4       13.5 
Nothing in particular           7.1        6.7 
N/A                             2.3        0.3 
(Note) ASEAN = Association of Southeast Asian Nations; EU = European 
Union; Oceania = Australia, New Zealand, etc. 
 
Q: There are many conflicts or standoffs around the world. What is a 
matter of concern to you? If any, pick as many as you like from 
among those listed below. 
 
                                                Japan         US 
North Korea's nuclear, missile development       92.0       87.6 
Iran's nuclear development                       75.7       87.1 
Armed insurgents in Iraq                         76.9       89.5 
Taliban remnants in Afghanistan                  62.1       85.5 
Israel, Palestinian issue                        61.9       80.7 
Confrontation between China and Taiwan           44.8       48.8 
Islamic radicals in Indonesia                    46.5       71.4 
Civil wars in Africa                             38.0       57.0 
Worsening relations between the US and Venezuela 19.5       45.6 
O/A                                               0.8        8.4 
Nothing in particular                             3.4        1.6 
N/A                                               1.2        0.1 
 
Q: Do you think the Japan-US Security Treaty contributes to security 
in the Asia-Pacific region? 
 
                       Japan         US 
Yes, very much          25.9       22.0 
Yes, somewhat           39.7       55.6 
No, not very much       12.8        7.1 
No, not at all           5.0        5.0 
N/A                     16.6       10.3 
 
Q: At present, there are many US military bases in Japan under the 
Japan-US Security Treaty. What do you think should be done about the 
US military presence in Japan? 
 
TOKYO 00007027  004 OF 007 
 
 
 
                                Japan         US 
Reinforce                         4.0        6.2 
Maintain at current levels       46.2       61.0 
Reduce                           34.9       18.1 
Pull out                          8.9        9.7 
N/A                               6.0        5.1 
 
Q: If Japan comes under attack from a foreign country's armed 
forces, do you think the US will come to help Japan militarily? 
 
         Japan        US 
Yes       71.0       --- 
No        18.3       --- 
N/A       10.8       --- 
 
Q: If Japan comes under attack from a foreign country's armed 
forces, do you think the US should help Japan militarily? 
 
        Japan         US 
Yes       ---       73.4 
No        ---       20.4 
N/A       ---        6.2 
 
 
Q: Do you think the Self-Defense Forces of Japan should play a 
proactive role overseas for international peace cooperation 
activities, such as water supply, medical support, and 
reconstruction assistance? 
 
                             Japan         US 
Yes                           57.8       81.2 
Yes to a certain degree       15.5       11.4 
No to a certain degree         6.5        1.6 
No                            14.3        2.7 
N/A                            6.0        3.1 
 
Q: What do you think the Japanese and US governments should address 
on a priority basis among issues over North Korea? If any, pick as 
many as you like from among those listed. 
 
       Japan       US 
Stop North Korea from developing nuclear weapons 
96.4       90.3 
Stop North Korea from developing and launching missiles 
93.9       88.0 
Resolve the issue of Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea 
 
94.1       76.4 
Normalize diplomatic relations between Japan and North Korea 
53.5       --- 
Normalize diplomatic relations between the US and North Korea 
---       82.4 
Economic cooperation to North Korea 
27.0       46.1 
Change North Korea's political, economic systems 
58.9       59.4 
O/A 
0.6       3.8 
Nothing in particular 
0.3       1.0 
N/A 
0.5       0.1 
 
TOKYO 00007027  005 OF 007 
 
 
 
Q: What do you think the international community should do in order 
to have North Korea give up on its nuclear weapons program? Pick 
only one from among the following six options. 
 
       Japan       US 
Toughen sanctions 
13.0       22.5 
Carry out military strikes to destroy nuclear facilities only 
 
1.9       5.0 
Overthrow the Kim Jong Il regime 
39.8       5.7 
Ease sanctions 
1.0       3.4 
Hold direct dialogue between the US and North Korea 
5.8       6.9 
Hold dialogue in 6-party talks and through other channels including 
North Korea 
32.8       49.6 
O/A 
0.5       1.7 
Nothing in particular 
0.6       0.7 
N/A 
4.6       4.5 
 
Q: Do you fear that Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, which currently 
have no nuclear weapons, may go nuclear in the aftermath of North 
Korea's nuclear test? 
 
                       Japan         US 
Yes, very much          12.1       32.5 
Yes, somewhat           26.3       38.7 
No, not very much       21.5       19.1 
No, not at all          29.7        9.1 
N/A                     10.4        0.6 
 
Q: Do you think Japan should work together with the US to hurry up 
their development of a missile defense system that can shoot down 
enemy missiles? 
 
                             Japan         US 
Yes                           47.0       43.2 
Yes to a certain degree       13.1       22.1 
No to a certain degree         7.0        8.2 
No                            24.4       23.3 
N/A                            8.6        3.2 
 
 
Q: Do you think Japan-China relations are currently in good shape? 
 
                     Japan        US 
Very good              0.6       --- 
Good                  22.4       --- 
Can't say which       21.2       --- 
Bad                   46.8       --- 
Very bad               3.5       --- 
N/A                    5.6       --- 
 
Q: Do you think US-China relations are currently in good shape? 
 
                     Japan        US 
 
TOKYO 00007027  006 OF 007 
 
 
Very good             ---        3.7 
Good                  ---       33.6 
Can't say which       ---       46.3 
Bad                   ---        9.7 
Very bad              ---        2.1 
N/A                   ---        4.6 
 
Q: Do you trust China? 
 
                       Japan         US 
Yes, very much           4.0        4.7 
Yes, somewhat           17.0       46.8 
No, not very much       43.7       29.5 
No, not at all          23.9       16.2 
N/A                     11.5        2.8 
 
Q: Which country between the US and China do you think will be more 
important to Japan in the political area from now on? 
 
                                 Japan        US 
US                                47.5       --- 
China                             36.1       --- 
Both countries are important       6.2       --- 
N/A                               10.2       --- 
 
Q: Which country between Japan and China do you think will be more 
important to the US in the political area from now on? 
 
                                 Japan         US 
Japan                              ---       44.4 
China                              ---       44.8 
Both countries are important       ---        4.0 
N/A                                ---        6.8 
 
Q: Which country between the US and China do you think will be more 
important to Japan in the economic area from now on? 
 
                                 Japan        US 
US                                24.5       --- 
China                             62.2       --- 
Both countries are important       5.9       --- 
N/A                                7.5       --- 
 
Q: Which country between Japan and China do you think will be more 
important to the US in the economic area from now on? 
 
                                 Japan         US 
Japan                              ---       35.8 
China                              ---       55.7 
Both countries are important       ---        3.6 
N/A                                ---       4.9 
 
Q: Do you fear that a large-scale terrorist attack may occur in 
Japan like the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US? 
 
                       Japan        US 
Yes, very much          24.1       --- 
Yes, somewhat           39.9       --- 
No, not very much       23.9       --- 
No, not at all           9.8       --- 
N/A                      2.4       --- 
 
Q: Do you fear that another large-scale terrorist attack may occur 
 
TOKYO 00007027  007 OF 007 
 
 
in the US like the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US? 
 
                      Japan         US 
Yes, very much          ---       34.9 
Yes, somewhat           ---       44.0 
No, not very much       ---       14.0 
No, not at all          ---       6.7 
N/A                     ---       0.4 
 
Q: President Bush stressed that the US is now safer than five years 
ago with its war on terror. Do you agree with President Bush? 
 
                            Japan         US 
Yes                           ---       25.9 
Yes to a certain degree       ---       17.9 
No to a certain degree        ---       10.9 
No                            ---       44.4 
N/A                           ---        0.9 
 
Q: At present, the United Nations Security Council is made up of 
five permanent members, namely the US, France, Britain, China, and 
Russia. Do you think Japan should join the UNSC as a permanent 
member? 
 
                    Japan         US 
Yes                  60.8       57.3 
No                   17.3        9.7 
Not interested       14.2       29.1 
N/A                   7.8        3.9 
 
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted over the telephone on 
a computer-aided random digit dialing (RDD) basis both in Japan and 
in the United States. 
 
Japan: 
Date of survey: Nov. 17-20. 
Subjects of survey: Voting population (aged 20 and over). 
Number of valid respondents: 1,002 persons. 
Breakdown of respondents: Male-46%, female-54%. 
 
US: 
Date of survey: Nov. 10-20. 
Subjects of survey: Voting population (aged 18 and over). 
Number of valid respondents: 1,008 persons. 
Breakdown of respondents: Male-48%, female-52%. 
 
SCHIEFFER