U.S.-Japan relations facing deterioration, with 70% of Japanese surveyed perceiving strained ties
In a recent survey, it has been revealed that Japanese public opinion has experienced a significant negative shift in views on Japan-US relations since Donald Trump's second inauguration in 2025.
The online survey, conducted by our website and JX Press in July 2025, gauged the Japanese people's views on the current international landscape and Japan-US relations. The results show that nearly 70% of Japanese respondents perceive bilateral ties as having worsened rather than improved.
Key points regarding the shift in views and the broader context include:
- Public perception of Japan-US relations has declined sharply. Only 2.3% of Japanese respondents believed ties had improved since Trump's inauguration, while 69.5% saw deterioration. Older generations are more likely to perceive worsening relations.
- Trade tensions initially escalated under Trump’s renewed administration, with the U.S. imposing a 25% tariff on Japanese goods starting August 1, 2025, as a pressure tactic during stalled negotiations. This led to public frustration and political stalemates in Japan's leadership.
- A subsequent trade and investment agreement eased tensions, featuring reduced tariffs (from 25% to 15% on Japanese exports, including automobiles) and a massive Japanese investment plan in the U.S., focusing on strategic sectors like semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and AI. This deal aimed to reshape economic ties and reaffirm security links.
- Despite the trade deal's strategic goals and market optimism, public disappointment likely stems from the contentious tone of the early tariff threats and the perception of U.S. unilateral pressure, which has damaged the broader sentiment toward the bilateral alliance, overshadowing the economic agreement's positives.
Regarding self-defense views, the survey did not directly address changes in Japanese public opinion or policy on Japan's self-defense posture post-2025 inauguration. However, the atmosphere of strained political and trade relations could influence debates on Japan's security strategy and reliance on the U.S. alliance, though this requires additional data beyond the current search results.
In summary, while official economic and strategic cooperation between Japan and the U.S. has reached new milestones in 2025, Japanese public sentiment reflects significant concern and pessimism about the overall state of Japan-US relations since Trump's second term began. Direct evidence on shifts in views specifically about Japan’s self-defense policy is not available in the provided data.
- The decline in Japanese public opinion regarding Japan-US relations has extended to various aspects of the partnership, including cultural exchange, history, and economy.
- The escalating tensions over trade policies might have also affected Japanese views on arts and environmental conservation, with a majority expressing dissatisfaction with the current administration's approach.
- In the realm of general news and politics, the perceived unilateralism and confrontational rhetoric from the U.S. administration have left a lasting impact on Japanese public sentiment.
- As policymakers continue to assess and respond to this shift in Japanese public opinion, it remains crucial to consider the implications for future bilateral relations in fields such as policy-making, technology, and international cooperation.
