It could be worse

Over the past few years we’ve been hearing a lot about anti-Americanism in South Korea. This is particularly galling for many Americans because tens of thousands of US soldiers are stationed in Korea (on the US taxpayer’s dime). But I came across the following opinion poll figures that recently appeared on Japanese television. (Pictures from a Japanese web site, translation by your truly.)

Most Japanese—56.1%—consider the Republic of Korea to be a partner, compared to fewer than one in four who consider it a rival. The figures switch when you ask South Koreans. Almost 63% consider Japan to be a rival, while just 29.2% see it as a partner.

I know those words seem vague, but we’re not quibbling over a few percentage points in the margins. A vast majority of South Koreans do not view Japan favorably, despite the increasingly positive image of Korea in Japanese mass media.

So while Americans bitch about South Korea’s bad attitude, it isn’t just towards us. Look at this poll, from the same source, asking South Koreans whether they have a favorable or unfavorable outlook towards China, North Korea, Russia, Japan, and the United States.

And while we all know that America ain’t popular with many South Koreans, it could be worse. By and large it’s Japan that is viewed the least favorably.

(Unaltered jpegs can be seen here and here.)