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Q41b What do you think about the Japanese people? Please select any of the following words you think are appropriate. (multiple answers) - Hardworking
- Intelligent
- Practical
- Vain (excessively proud or concerned with oneself)
- Broad-minded
- Brave
- Polite
- Arrogant
- Progressive
- Peace-loving
- Untrustworthy
- Don't know/no answer
The non-Japanese respondents were asked for their image of Japanese people. The respondents from all countries other than the U.S. ranked 'hardworking' first, which was the top choice of the Japanese themselves. The majority of the Americans chose 'intelligent.' Popular views on Japanese people included 'practical' and 'progressive' in all countries other than Japan. The Koreas pointed out 'untrustworthy' as one of the common images of Japanese people. (Table 6-7)
Table 6-7 Image of Japanese People (Country Comparison) 
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Note: Options were changed in this survey. (See List of Changes in Questionnaire)
Q42 What do you think of Japan as a country? Please select any answers that you think are appropriate. (multiple answers) - The political system is sound
- Economically wealthy
- It has excellent culture and art
- It contributes to world peace
- It is actively involved in helping developing countries
- It is actively involved in global environmental issues
- None of the above
- Don't know/no answer
When being asked about the image of Japan, the Japanese themselves chose 'excellent culture and art' as their top choice at 41.5%, followed by 'economically wealthy' at 27.4%, and 'active involvement in helping developing countries' at 23.8%.
When compared with the previous survey, the percentage of the respondents who chose 'economically wealthy' declined from 42.3% to 27.4%, and 'active involvement in helping developing countries' increased from 15.5% to 23.8%.
Looking at the other countries surveyed, 'excellent culture and art' was ranked first in the U.S. and Sweden as in Japan. Korea and Germany's top choice was 'economically wealthy.' 'Sound political system' was listed among the top three in Korea, the U.S. and Sweden, and 'contributes to world peace' was listed among the top three in Germany. (Table 6-8)
When compared with the previous survey (excluding Japan), the percentage of the respondents who chose 'economically wealthy' declined in all three countries except Germany. Especially in Korea, this category declined by 25 points. The percentage of the respondents who chose 'excellent culture and art' increased in all four countries, reaching around 50% in the U.S., Sweden and Germany.
Table 6-8 Image of Japan (Country Comparison) 
Click HERE to Part3 Reference Data