Japan Country Profile
How do New Zealanders view Japan?
This country profile is based on our latest New Zealanders’ Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples report. The results of the survey give a unique glimpse into the importance of Japan to New Zealanders. Perceptions of Asia presents the results from a survey of 2,300 New Zealanders, providing a unique glimpse into the importance of Asia to New Zealanders.
Sevent-three percent of New Zealanders see Japan as important to New Zealand’s future, making it the second most important country in Asia after China and ahead of India. Japan’s importance has increased three percentage points in the past year.
Japan's importance to New Zealand's future
Q: How important do you think Japan is to New Zealand’s future?
Perceptions of Asia 2025
Most trusted partner in Asia
Sixty-three percent of New Zealanders have high trust in Japan to act responsibly in the world, making it the most trusted power in Asia and putting it on par with New Zealanders’ trust in the United Kingdom. New Zealanders also see Japan as New Zealand’s most important defence and security partner in Asia.
Tourism was noted as one of the top reasons New Zealanders feel friendly towards Japan
New Zealand's closest friend in Asia
Japan is New Zealand’s closest friend in Asia, with 80 percent of New Zealanders identifying it as a friend or close friend. Only two percent of New Zealanders see Japan as a threat and no respondents percieve Japan as a major threat.
Friend and threat perceptions
Q: Do you view Japan as a close friend, friend, threat or major threat?
Perceptions of Asia 2025
Japan has consistently been seen as New Zealand’s best friend in Asia
Japan has consistently been seen as New Zealand’s best friend in Asia, and positive sentiment has increased over time.
While 67 percent of New Zealanders saw Japan as a friend in 2018, 80 percent view it as a friend today.
Friend and threat perceptions 2018-2024
Perceptions of Asia 2025
Why do New Zealanders see Japan as a friend?
New Zealand’s strong trade relationship with Japan, tourism links between the countries, and a generally positive relationship are key reasons for seeing Japan as a friend.
Why do New Zealanders see Japan as a friend?
Perceptions of Asia 2025
A priority relationship
Japan is the country in Asia in which New Zealanders most want to invest extra effort. Trade and economic opportunities as well as technology and innovation are the leading reasons for wanting to strengthen ties.
Japanese as a second language
28 percent of New Zealanders would like to learn Japanese if they had the opportunity to learn an Asian language.
“We have developed strong diplomatic and trade ties in recent years and our values in the global system are broadly aligned.”
Male, 25-29 years, New Zealand European, Wellington
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The Foundation's Research Programme commissions studies that support informed public conversations about New Zealand’s relationship with Asia. We also support the next generation of scholars through our Foundation Research Grants.
Our Asia in Focus programme provides expert analysis on on Asia and New Zealand-Asia relations.
