Japan Skeptical about N. Korea Denuclearization: Survey

June 10, 2018

Tokyo- A majority of Japanese people think that a U.S.-N. Korea summit, slated for Tuesday in Singapore, will not lead to the reclusive country's denuclearization, a private survey revealed on Friday.

Genron NPO, an independent Japanese think tank, conducted polls in both Japan and the United States on North Korea's denuclearization.

In Japan, respondents who answered that they do not think the summit will lead to denuclearization accounted for 52.2 pct, far exceeding those who expect a definitive achievement, standing at 6.2 pct.

In the United States, respondents who do not think the summit will lead to denuclearization stood at 35.9 pct, while those who expect its achievement stood at 21.8 pct, greater than the proportion in Japan.

On whether the flurry of diplomatic negotiations including the summit will resolve North Korea's nuclear issue, 2.8 pct of respondents in Japan see great progress being made, below the proportion of 13.2 pct in the United States.

The figures indicate greater optimism among respondents in the United States, but the nation tends toward skeptical views on the issue, with 30.4 pct thinking some progress will be made but the issue will remain unsolved and 25.7 pct answering that an ultimate settlement will be a future task.

The combined proportions of those who answered that they cannot or on balance cannot believe in North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's resolve for peace stood at 66.2 pct in Japan and 72.1 pct in the United States, a majority in both nations.

On the question of who would deserve credit if denuclearization is realized, 62.9 pct of respondents in the United States cited President Donald Trump.

The survey was conducted between May 19 and June 3, covering 1,000 men and women aged 18 years or older in Japan. The same survey was conducted in the United Sates by the University of Maryland from June 1 to 5, covering 1,215 people aged 18 years or older. Jiji Press