China's image problem in Japan

According to a just released poll conducted by Japanese Cabinet, a combined 77.8 percent Japanese said they don't consider Chinese are friendly or they don't have a positive feeling towards Chinese. The number rings alert as it's the highest ever percentage since 1978 when the poll was started. It's also a big jump from the last poll, which recorded 55.8 percent in 2009.

Japanese Cabinet has since blamed the Chinese fishing boat clash around disputed area Senkaku/Daioyu island as the reason for the deterioration in China's image among Japanese people.

I personally think the bottom of the problem is that more Japanese have felt the growing strong Chinese presence and China's muscle flexing style, more evident entering this year. Not only there was the boat clash and subsequent Youtube videos which stirred up nationalism in both countries, but also the rare earth issue. As China is increasing its reach to more areas, the clash could become more and frequent, but not less.

The real issue here is a lack of trust and transparency, and in the surface, a lack and communication among top leaders. To solve the issue, more calm diplomacy, initiative taking and less rhetoric needed.