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A new joint public opinion survey conducted in Japan and South Korea reveals differing priorities between the two nations regarding areas where future cooperation would be most beneficial.

When asked to select the field bilateral cooperation should focus on, 34 percent of Japanese respondents chose security, while the most common response among South Koreans was the economy, at 37 percent.

The poll was carried out by The Asahi Shimbun and South Korea’s Dong-A Ilbo, marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two Asian neighbors.

In Japan, security was followed by the economy at 28 percent, historical issues at 24 percent and responses to the aging population and declining birthrates at 8 percent.

Next to economic cooperation, South Korean respondents ranked historical reconciliation at 28 percent, followed by national defense at 20 percent and demographic challenges at 12 percent.

The survey was conducted via telephone in both countries and follows up a similar joint poll from 2015.

Although the previous Japanese poll was conducted via mail and is not directly comparable, this year’s results show a notable improvement in perceptions of bilateral relations.

The percentage of Japanese respondents who believe relations are “going well” rose by 22 points to 29 percent. In South Korea, it increased by 23 points to 26 percent.

Meanwhile, the percentage of those who disagreed with that view dropped significantly in both countries, falling by 36 points to 50 percent in Japan and by 31 points to 59 percent in South Korea.

Concerns about North Korea’s nuclear program remains high in both countries, though the intensity differs.

Eighty-two percent of Japanese respondents said they feel “very” or “somewhat” concerned compared to 52 percent in South Korea. Meanwhile, 17 percent of Japanese and 48 percent of South Koreans said they feel “limited” or “no” concern.

The idea of strengthening defense cooperation between Japan and South Korea received majority support in both nations, with 56 percent in Japan and 60 percent in South Korea in favor. Opposition stood at 30 percent and 37 percent, respectively.

Although Japan and South Korea are not in a formal security alliance, they are increasingly participating in joint military drills within multilateral frameworks. These are typically led by the United States, which is the primary ally of both countries.

On the economic front, both populations expressed a strong preference for ties with the United States over China.

In Japan, 80 percent said relations with the United States are more important while 77 percent of South Koreans agreed. Only 11 percent of Japanese and 14 percent of South Koreans prioritized relations with China.

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