On August 3, 2026, South Korea's Kookmin Ilbo reported that 'Koreans' favorability towards Japan has reached its highest level since the survey began in 2013.'

The East Asia Institute in South Korea and the Japan International House recently announced the results of a public opinion survey conducted among 3,099 adults aged 18 or older in South Korea and Japan (1,547 in South Korea, 1,552 in Japan). According to the survey, Koreans' favorability towards Japan was 54.3%, the highest figure since the survey began in 2013. The previous year, it was 52.4%, an increase of 1.9 percentage points.

Favorability towards Japan recorded a record low of 12.3% in 2020, but has been steadily rising since then. The most common reason for having a favorable impression of Japan was 'kindness and a people who value order' (66.9%), followed by 'attractive food culture, shopping, and travel' (43.9%).

The percentage of Koreans who rated current bilateral relations as 'good' also almost doubled, increasing from 10.6% last year to 20.6% this year.

Meanwhile, Japanese people's favorability towards South Korea also significantly increased. Last year it was 24.8%, but this year it rose by 10.5 percentage points to reach 35.3%. The percentage of people who have a negative impression of South Korea decreased from 51.0% last year to 44.1%. Responses of 'neither good nor bad' accounted for 20.6%.

In response to this article, South Korean netizens posted comments such as: 'There's no harm in getting along with your neighbors,' 'Where did the people who incited anti-Japan sentiment and shouted 'No Japan' go?', 'I think equal power and equal economic strength brought the two countries closer,' 'No matter how much politicians stir up anti-Japanese sentiment, Japan is 100 times better than China,' and 'The 'No Japan' movement was just some politicians and supporters making a fuss. Nintendo sales floors were always crowded, and beer was selling well.'

Furthermore, regarding these results, some analyzed, 'It's simply because more Koreans dislike China,' and 'The reason is simple. South Korea now surpasses Japan in every aspect. Japan is no longer a rival.' There were also comments that highlighted the difference in favorability between the two countries, such as 'Japanese favorability towards South Korea is 35%, while Koreans' favorability towards Japan is 54%. *sigh*...' (Translation/Editing: Mae)