Survey shows younger Japanese increasingly view US as top threat
A survey by the Japan Press Research Institute found that 26.8 per cent of Japanese respondents named the United States as the greatest threat to global peace, an increase of 9.3 percentage points from a year earlier. China was cited by 32.5 per cent, while Russia fell to third place with 18.3 per cent. Analysts attribute the shift, particularly among younger Japanese, to Trump administration foreign policy.
The Japan Press Research Institute’s yearly survey asked 5,000 people during July and August. It found 26.8% saw the US as the main danger to world peace, a 9.3-point rise from the previous year and much higher than 6.6% in 2024. China led with 32.5%, up 8.2 points, while Russia placed third at 18.3% after topping the 2025 poll.
Analysts link the changing views, especially among Japanese under 50, to the Trump administration’s foreign policy. The article frames this as younger respondents fearing Washington more than Beijing.
The survey may influence how younger Japanese discuss security, alliances and US relations, potentially shaping public debate and media coverage. It could affect policymakers’ perceptions of generational attitudes, though the poll measures opinion rather than policy. Japanese society, especially younger voters and commentators, may become more attentive to Washington’s role in the region.