Do you have a good impression on Japan? What accounts for your favorite impression or nonchalance towards Japan? When answering questions like these, 31.2 per cent of the public chose nonchalant and 22.4 per cent very nonchalant, which accounted for more than half of the total results. For those who were nonchalant toward Japan, 61.7 per cent held that Japan still does not sincerely introspect its historical war crime of aggression against China.

That is only part of the latest survey on Sino-Japanese public opinion released by the Japan Studies Institute under Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). The full text is to be published on the sixth issue of Japanese Studies. In 2002, the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations, the Japan Studies Institute under CASS made a survey with a result of fewer Chinese having favorite impression on Japan. The result immediately caught the attention from all walks of life in both countries the moment it was released.

The results of the second survey on Sino-Japanese public opinion conducted in September and October 2004 showed that more Chinese have nonchalant attitude toward Japan. In the past two years, there was only a slight increase in the number of Chinese who felt ��very close or close to Japan��. On the contrary, more than half of Chinese people have voiced their strong nonchalance toward Japan with the percentage points rising to 53.6 from 43.3. Jiang Liguan, president of Japan Studies Institute under CASS, noted that it was a grave reality China and Japan must face while developing their friendly bilateral relations.

Among those Chinese who were "very close or close" to Japan, 25.3 per cent favored the long historic exchanges between China and Japan, 31.2 per cent valued the advanced Japanese economy and technology, Japan's economic aid to China, once studying in Japan or visiting Japan and having Japanese friends accounted for 4.8 per cent, 4.8 per cent and 4.8 per cent respectively, having relatives or friends in Japan yielded 8.1 per cent, among the rest of them 12.4 per cent and 8.6 per cent chose "unclear" and "give no answer".

As for those who declared " nonchalant or very nonchalant" toward Japan, Japanese war of aggression against China took up 26 per cent, 61.7 per cent maintained Japan still had not sincerely introspected its crime of invasion against China, 6.9 per cent believed US-Japanese military alliance posed a threat to China's security, once studying or visiting Japan accounted for 0.2 per cent, 0.7 per cent said their relatives or friends had unpleasant experiences in Japan, and 1.2 per cent and 3.3 per cent chose "unclear" or "give no answer" respectively.

Jiang writes an article in light of this situation saying that the informants did not start from his or her personal feelings or gratitude and resentment, but was ruled by historical conception and influenced by political and economic views when thinking about the reason for "favorite or nonchalant" attitude toward Japan. Comparatively speaking, the direct exchanges with Japan are the subordinate reason, and play a more important role for those Chinese who held favorite attitude toward Japan than for those holding opposite opinion.

It is noteworthy that the answers of five informants who were nonchalant toward Japan were "Japanese look down upon Chinese", "Japan holds prejudice against China", "Japan is not friendly enough toward China and despises Chinese", "Japan discriminates the Chinese and looks down upon China", which have not appeared in the first survey. Being the youngsters aging between 20 and 30, the informants clearly observed that currently a considerable group of Japanese still adhere to the ideology of despising against China left over by history, which could not be reached without thorough study and research. As a matter of fact, the "China Threat Theory" is quite popular with Japanese in recent years, and even some Japanese are afraid of such slogans as "the peaceful rise of China" and "the great revival of the Chinese Nation". The historical root of this fear lies in the modern Japanese ideological trend of "escaping from Asia and joining Europe" and "despise against China" theory, which has become important awareness hampering the development of Sino-Japanese relations. Japanese government should pay more attention to it.

The survey also involved other issues that hindered the smooth advance of Sino-Japanese relations. When being asked the question on Japanese Prime Minister's controversial visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, 42 per cent of the informants held under no circumstances could Japanese Prime Minister visit the Shrine, 5 per cent said the visit was Japan's internal affairs and therefore he could visit the Shrine. When answering the question of whether Japan would revive the militarism, 31.9 per cent believed Japan possibly would, 22.9 per cent said Japan would and 13.5 per cent thought Japan would not. As for the issue of Japan's presence as a permanent member at the UN Security Council, 34.5 per cent voiced their strong opposition, 22.2 per cent said they are opposed to the notion and only 2.1 per cent stood for Japan's move.

The survey was also planned to carry out in Japan, but the Chinese in Japan showed their indifference towards the survey. Some students studying in Japan were interested in this survey. Finally, only 15 questionnaires have been collected.

This survey also offered "short message" for informants to air their own views. There were total 879 informants had their words left, accounting for 29.4 per cent of all informants

The 2567th message says that the Japanese government should face up to history, recognize history, otherwise all countries would despise it. The 2403rd message says that I hated Japanese very much because Japan had ever invaded China and killed so many innocent Chinese, causing huge damages and losses to China. Why Japan still does not admit its wartime atrocities? Damn it! The 432nd message says that the exchanges between two countries are just like that between two people. Only by understanding each other's culture could one country do something for other. The point is who could take the first step in this regard.

Jiang notes that these messages are the real manifestation of informants' thought and feelings without any obscurity. From these, we can sense the stupendous difficulty for the development of Sino-Japanese relations and observe the indefinite impetus en route the development of Sino-Japan relations

The messages left over could be roughly divided into two parts: the comments on Japan and the comments on Sino-Japanese relations. Generally speaking, the comments on Japan are too biting. A lot of messages target on Japan's ignorance of its wartime atrocities and the current development of its military power, by which Japan could revive militarism. Of course, there are also many messages showing Chinese tolerance toward Japanese. They could objectively and thoroughly look at the Japanese nation, not only pointing out its merits, but also putting forward advices and expectations. However, the actions carried out by some Japanese in recently years are contrary to truth and morality. Consequently, the Chinese rigorous comments on Japan are within expectation.

As for the Sino-Japanese relations, the survey as a whole is rather severe other than generous. Great deals of messages left over show that many issues such as the Japanese aggression against China and other questions left over by history still exert a leading role for Chinese in Sino-Japanese relations. Meanwhile, there are also many messages expressing Chinese enthusiasm and hope in the sound development of Sino-Japanese relations in the near future. We can absolutely believe that the friendly Sino-Japanese relations will be further developed in the 21st century under the joint efforts made by the two peoples. And those attempts to hamper and undermine the development of Sino-Japanese relations are doomed to fail.

This Sino-Japanese survey on public opinion was exclusively conducted by the Japan Studies Institute under CASS. 3,300 questionnaires were handed out indistinguishably and 2,987 valid questionnaires were collected, achieving a recovery rate as high as 90.5 per cent. The scope of the survey involved more than half of the provinces, autonomous regions and cities in China, and the informants came from all walks of life regardless of their age, nationality, educational background and profession. In light of all these factors mentioned above, this survey was scientific and its result was creditable. Therefore it could be used as basis for research and reference for decision-making, added Jiang.

By People's Daily Online