Poll: Over 80% blame Japan entirely for tense China-Japan relations

The 2026 edition of Japan's Diplomatic Bluebook downgraded its description of the China-Japan relationship from "one of the most important bilateral relationships" to "an important neighboring country," pouring another "bucket of cold water" on the already tense relations under the Takaichi administration.

According to a global online survey conducted by CGTN, 82% of respondents pointed out that Japan's recent series of actions, such as challenging the post-war system, distorting historical understanding and intensifying geopolitical confrontations, are the root causes of the tensions in China-Japan relations and the broader regional situation.

Japan's recent series of dangerous moves have drawn high attention and raised alarm in the international community. Japan's Ministry of Defense deployed offensive missiles with a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers in Kumamoto Prefecture, began receiving US Tomahawk cruise missiles, and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force also officially participated in the US-Philippine military exercises for the first time.

According to the survey, 86.4% of respondents believed that Japan has completely abandoned the "exclusively defensive" principle, and that Article 9 of the "Peace Constitution" has become merely nominal. 

Furthermore, 89.1% of respondents call on the Japanese government to abide by the four political documents between China and Japan as well as its commitments to the international community, and to take concrete actions to uphold the political foundation of China-Japan relations.

Behind Japan's intensive maneuvers lies the dangerous ideology of "neo-militarism" advocated by Japanese right-wing forces, which is profoundly reshaping the country's political trajectory. 

Recently, an active-duty officer of the Japan Self-Defense Forces stormed the Chinese embassy in Japan with a knife and threatened to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel. In response to this shocking incident, the Japanese government merely expressed that it was "deeply regrettable." 

According to the survey, 84.9% of respondents believe that this reflects the growing extremism of far-right ideologies and forces in Japan; 83% of respondents stated that Japanese right-wing forces have evolved from ideological infiltration to violent spillover, a trend that warrants high vigilance from the international community. 

Moreover, 86.7% of respondents pointed out that this "neo-militarism" has penetrated Japan's military, diplomatic and cultural spheres, that the Japanese political landscape has seriously shifted toward right-leaning populism, and that right-wing forces could once again steer Japan toward becoming a "war state."

By downgrading the description of its relations with China and using the opportunity to hype up the "China threat," the Takaichi administration is seeking excuses to completely break away from the post-war peaceful system. 

According to the survey, 81.1% of respondents believe that Japan's downgrading of its description of bilateral ties with China may further escalate tensions between the two countries; 76.7% of respondents are concerned that continued tensions in China-Japan relations will have a negative impact on the Asia-Pacific situation and even global strategic security; and 90.8% of respondents call on the Japanese government to immediately retract its erroneous remarks, stop its provocative actions and take concrete steps to earn the trust of the international community.

The survey was released on CGTN's English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian platforms, with 7,387 netizens voting and expressing their opinions within 24 hours.