China ranks first among Southeast Asian countries of importance for future partner, according to a survey of public opinion regarding Japan conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On the 13th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the results of public opinion surveys on Japan conducted in the United States, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and India. When ASEAN member states were asked to select multiple countries/organizations that would become important partners in the future, China received the most votes at 52%, followed by Japan at 45%. In India, Russia came in first place at 59%, followed by Japan at 57%.

These results suggest that while Japan is focusing its efforts on building relationships with ASEAN and India, China and Russia maintain a certain level of influence in these regions.

In the United States, experts were asked about their "most important partners in Asia and the surrounding region." Japan received the most votes at 50%, followed by China at 17%, India at 16%, Australia at 8%, and South Korea at 3%.