On the 1st, foreign visitors wait in line in front of a hair salon in Myeongdong, Seoul, for the store opening. /Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

A poll released on the 15th showed that more than half of our citizens have a favorable view of Japanese people. Favorability has significantly increased compared to six years ago when the 'No Japan' movement sparked strong anti-Japanese sentiment.

In a poll conducted by Korea Gallup from the 12th to the 14th, surveying 1,007 individuals aged 18 and older nationwide, 56% of respondents answered 'I have a favorable view of Japanese people' to the question. 26% answered 'I do not have a favorable view.'

Korea Gallup has conducted the same survey every 3 to 4 years. In a survey conducted from February 24 to 26, 2015, 40% said 'I have a favorable view of Japanese people,' while 47% said 'I do not have a favorable view.' In a survey conducted from July 9 to 11, 2019, 41% responded 'I have a favorable view,' and 43% responded 'I do not have a favorable view.' In a survey from August 9 to 11, 2022, 46% said 'I have a favorable view,' while 38% said 'I do not have a favorable view.'

The results of this survey show a 15 percentage point increase in those who said 'I have a favorable view' compared to the survey conducted from July 9 to 11, 2019, and a 17 percentage point decrease in those who said 'I do not have a favorable view.' In this survey, 77% of respondents in their 20s answered that they have a favorable view of Japanese people.

Previously, the Japanese government announced on July 1, 2019, that it would restrict exports of key materials necessary for semiconductor and display manufacturing, initiating economic sanctions against Korea. This was interpreted as a retaliatory measure after a South Korean court ruled that Nippon Steel must pay damages in a forced labor lawsuit.

On August 6, 2019, in the afternoon, a sign supporting the boycott of Japanese products is posted at the entrance of a bar in Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. As the No No Japan movement spreads to Japanese restaurants, many store owners experience difficulties. /Courtesy of Chosun DB

At that time, Jo Kuk, the then senior presidential secretary for civil affairs under President Moon Jae-in, posted 'The Song of Death' on his Facebook. President Moon characterized Japan's measures as 'retaliation' and stated, 'We will never lose to Japan again.' The 'No Japan' movement also emerged within the private sector, advocating for a boycott of Japanese products, fueling strong anti-Japanese sentiment.

Korea Gallup asked, 'Do you have a favorable view of Japan?' and found that 38% of respondents answered 'I have a favorable view,' while 45% answered 'I do not have a favorable view.' The response of 'I have a favorable view of Japan' was only 12% in a survey conducted in July 2018, but it increased by 26 percentage points over six years.

Korea Gallup noted that 'the level of favorability toward Japan is at its highest since we began this survey in 1989,' adding that it is comparable to the period just after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (41%). In the 20s demographic, 61% recorded a favorable view of Japan.

This survey was conducted through interviews with randomized dialing of virtual phone numbers, and the sampling error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. The contact rate is 42.1%, and the response rate is 13.4%. Further details can be found on the website of the National Election Survey Review Committee.

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