---
"title": "5. Few see Russia as a threat"
"description": "Japanese adults are far less worried about Russia than they are about China or the U.S. Only about four-in-ten (43%) think Russia poses a major threat to Japan. And nearly two-thirds (64%) voice an unfavorable view of Russia, while just 26% see Moscow favorably. There is, however, a significant generational difference in perceptions of Russia: […]"
"date": "2017-10-17"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Bruce Stokes"
    "job_title": "Former Director, Global Economic Attitudes"
    "link": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/staff/bruce-stokes/"
"url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/global/2017/10/17/few-see-russia-as-a-threat/"
"categories":
  - "Democracy"
  - "International Affairs"
  - "International Political Values"
"datasets":
  -
    "name": "Spring 2017 Survey Data"
    "url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/dataset/spring-2017-survey-data/"
---

# 5\. Few see Russia as a threat

[![Chart showing few Japanese are positive toward Putin or Russia](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2017/10/PG_2017.10.17_Japan_5-00.png?w=309){.alignright width=280}](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/global/2017/10/17/japanese-divided-on-democracys-success-at-home-but-value-voice-of-the-people/pg_2017-10-17_japan_5-00-png/)

Japanese adults are far less worried about Russia than they are about China or the U.S. Only about four-in-ten (43%) think Russia poses a major threat to Japan. And nearly two-thirds (64%) voice an unfavorable view of Russia, while just 26% see Moscow favorably.

There is, however, a significant generational difference in perceptions of Russia: 53% of Japanese ages 18 to 29 hold a positive view of their northwestern neighbor, but only 16% of Japanese ages 50 and older agree.

This generation gap may be due to the young-old divide over Russia’s civil liberties record. Overall, 23% of Japanese say Russia respects the personal freedoms of its own people and 61% say it does not. But 60% of young Japanese believe Moscow respects the human rights of its people, while only 11% of older Japanese agree.

Most Japanese do not trust Russian President Vladimir Putin. Nearly two-thirds (64%) lack confidence in him to do the right thing regarding world affairs. Just 28% express confidence. But perception of Putin divides along age and gender lines. Among the young, 49% voice confidence, while only 17% of older Japanese trust his handling of international relations. And men (33%) are more confident in the Russian leader than women (24%).

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**Next:** [Acknowledgments](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/global/2017/10/17/acknowledgments-japan/markdown)