Poll Finds 93% Are Proud to Be Japanese
A new survey published by the Yomiuri Shinbun finds a that most people here are proud to be Japanese:
According to the survey, 55 percent of respondents said they were “very proud” of being Japanese and 38 percent said they were “proud to some extent” of being Japanese. Six percent said they did not feel proud.
The Yomiuri Shimbun conducted surveys on the same question in 1980, 1986 and 1995.
In 1986, 91 percent of people said they were “very proud” or “proud to some extent.” In 1980, the largest proportion, 54 percent, of people answered “very proud.” However, the latest results exceeded the past records.
Asked what made them feel this pride, in which multiple answers were allowed, 72 percent of respondents chose Japan’s history, tradition and culture, followed by 43 percent selecting the land and nature. Twenty-eight percent chose social stability and security while the same number chose the national character.
Compared with the 1986 survey results, this is a 19 percentage point increase for those who chose history, tradition and culture, but was also a 22 percentage point drop in those who chose the standard of education and technology, to 19 percent. Those who selected the economic prosperity decreased 17 percentage points, to 19 percent.
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Let me guess. All the people who said “no” are French right? Oh snap. I went there.
I put “yes” (because I’m an egotistical and xenophobic American) but I would have liked to see an option that said, “I don’t care.”
I can’t say that I’m not NOT proud to be an American considering that an American (at some point or another) has invented everything. Including everything invented in ancient Korea (it was all actually invented in America by Al Gore since he also invent(ed)(s) [depending on your perspective] the time machine). …you wouldn’t understand.
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French jokes are so 7 years ago.
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i´d like to say that im proud, but i live in germany
when you here say youre proud to be german people instantly call you a nazi :/
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I’m Japanese and understand the similar thing would happen in Korea or China(people call me “ugly fascist”).
This survey might show that most Japanese aren’t aware of the international(mostly Asian) sentiment.
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yo.. being proud for being born there.. soo.. both of you are proud on something what you can nothing for?
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Yes and No are way too simple answers to that question.
How can anyone be proud of being from a country where there are almost daily reports of suicide, homicide and pervesity as there here, but on the other hand, how can anyone say they aren’t proud of the generally stable society, the quality of life, or the long an interesting history of Japan?
As an Australian I think my nation is doing alright, but goddamn it (it?) does some stupid shit sometimes.
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It would interesting to know what exactly is implied by “being japanese”.
Does that mean having the right passport color? skin color? queueing up in the right line when you land in Narita? living in Japan? for how long? or whatever.
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i think being proud of his nationality means something else for everyone…
so this poll isnt really adequate
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I would be proud of my nationality if it was something that I had to earn, just like I’m proud of an A that I get on a test.
Also, another thing to consider – It’s very hypocritical to be proud of your country because of what other citizens (alive or dead) have accomplished, yet not feel ashamed of the horrors that some of your other countrymen have committed. Either take all of the guilt with the glory, or take nothing at all and simply revel in your own, personal accomplishments. I prefer the latter.
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I agree – pride in accomplishment is good, pride based on mere accident of birth is hubris. So yes, that means that naturalized citizens can feel pride in being citizens, of course.
I can feel glad to be a citizen of my country, I can feel it is better than many if not most other countries, but “pride” seems so personal. I suppose you can be proud of other fellow-citizens, and their achievements, but the light of reflected glory is pale and pallid.
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Everyone feels proud to be from their country but everyone feels ashamed of something.
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I’m not proud of being from England. We have so many things here that suck, and not many things that are good.
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Oh hey a yank talking about the French, well
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french are very “proud” people like the italians
and im sure the yank cant even place france on a map xD
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Just like you can’t find the shift key on your keyboard?
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Who voted “no”, these people tend to be parasites and irresponsibles towards their own country and tend to think about mundane things. They displease not only the country they want to be part of (wannabes) but also where they come from too, that is everyone.
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I’m proud to be a citizen of my country/ies (US and Japan), but many people have other opinions. They’re entitled to it; even if I have had a great time living here in the US, they might not have.
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The same goes for criminals. Are they entitled to commit crimes?
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What on earth does that mean?
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I voted “no”, because 1) patriotism can be deadly in some situations, and 2) I’d rather stay humble and focus on the areas my society need to improve. However, I am proud to be born a citizen of the world, and a member of the Homo sapiens species.
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In response to number 2: Isn’t that why one should be proud of his own country, to improve it rather than taking advantage of other countries?
About being proud of being homo-sapiens, that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.
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Wow, was Abe actually successful here?
Anyway I think it’s a good thing – I met very few obnoxious xenophobic “Japan is best!”-types but I met many people who were frustratingly self-disparaging about themselves as a nation. Everything foreign is fantastic, everything Japanese is crap. I’m sure it’s got a bit to do with the 謙遜 Japanese practice but I don’t think it can explain it completely – many of them genuinely have a skewed view of Japan’s place in the world. Get this – they think they are a “small country”! By the only two measures that matter, population and economy, Japan is a very big country. Now I live in the UK and people here almost seem to think Britannia still rules the world even though it is only about half the size of Japan!
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You are right. The average japanese think that Japan is a small country in the marge of the world and probably believe that the population of UK is about the same as that of Japan. “A small and peaceful country” is the post-war identity of Japan. After the defeat of WWII, the small-japanism(小日本主義) has won big-japanism(大日本主義). According to Yomiuri servey, people are proud of Japan because it is “a peaceful country”. This is not Abe’s vision.
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Everyone supposed to be proud of their own countries eventhough their countries have negative aspects in some ways…and for myself, I’m proud to be Thai as same as primary reason Japanese chose.
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i arabic and i’m not proud of it !
i just wanna 2 say for every amerians 2 bo so freaki’ proud of their country bcuz is a great county and the best place to live and they have freedom and i think its too much better than japan 100% , cuz i see the americans in these days so into japan and tvxq lol ! and should’nt america music is the best
asian music seems like 4 children
a#any way
think about it
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aehhh eahhhaaa….
whatever you wana to tell us..
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