Self-Defense Forces Reach Highest Public Approval Rating Ever

Public confidence in Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) has climbed to its highest level on record, a Cabinet Office survey shows. Nearly 94% of respondents said they view the SDF favorably, the strongest result since the poll began in 1969. Support for strengthening its size and capabilities also increased, reaching 45.2%.

The Ministry of Defense (MOD) believes the results reflect heightened public concern over Japan's security environment, particularly in light of developments involving China, North Korea, and Russia.

Survey Timing and Political Context

Released on January 9, this was the 19th iteration of the roughly triannual survey. It was carried out between November 6 and December 14, 2025, targeting 3,000 Japanese nationals aged 18 and older. Preliminary results were compiled from responses submitted by 1,534 individuals up to December 5.

During the survey period, on November 8, China's consul general in Osaka posted a threatening message on X (formerly Twitter) in response to remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding a potential Taiwan contingency. In the post, he wrote: "If you go sticking that filthy neck where it doesn't belong, it's gonna get sliced right off."

Subsequent coercive actions by the Chinese government further strained Japan–China relations.

Support for Stronger Military Capabilities Grows

When asked about their impressions of the SDF, 93.7% of respondents said they held a favorable view. This represents an increase of 2.9 percentage points from the previous survey in 2022, when the figure stood at 90.8%. The proportion expressing an unfavorable impression fell to 3.0%, down 2.0 points from the prior survey.

According to the MOD, the shift reflects a combination of factors. These include China's continued attempts to unilaterally change the status quo through the use of force in the East and South China Seas, alongside other developments affecting Japan's security environment.

The ministry also cited Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine as a contributing factor. It further pointed to North Korea's continued military activities, including ballistic missile launches, as well as the rapid recent expansion of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

Taken together, the ministry assessed that Japan's security environment is worsening rapidly.

Public evaluations of the MOD and the SDF's initiatives were seen as significantly influencing survey responses.

When asked how Japan should approach the size and capabilities of the Self-Defense Forces, 45.2% of respondents said they should be strengthened, an increase of 3.7% from the previous survey. By contrast, the shares who said the current level was sufficient (49.8%) or that the SDF should be reduced (2.2%) both declined.

Strong Public Support for the Japan–US Security Treaty

The survey also asked whether the Japan–United States Security Treaty contributes to Japan's peace and security. On that point, 92.0% of respondents said that it does, far exceeding the 7.1% who said it does not.

*Around 500 Self-Defense Forces personnel took part in the commemorative ceremony, November 30 in Naha (©Sankei by Naoki Otake).*

Views on the future of the treaty also showed overwhelming continuity. A large majority, 90.9%, said Japan should maintain the treaty while ensuring its own security through the Self-Defense Forces. By contrast, only single-digit percentages supported abandoning the treaty in favor of relying solely on the SDF, or scrapping the agreement while also reducing the SDF.

Perceived Risk of War Tops 80%

Asked whether Japan faces the risk of being attacked or drawn into war, given the current international situation, 80.6% of respondents said such a risk exists. Among those, 86.6% cited heightened international tensions and confrontations as the primary reason.

By contrast, among those who said they did not believe such a risk existed, 65.2% pointed to the Japan–US Security Treaty as the reason, a figure that rose 8.6 percentage points from the previous survey.

Responding to the findings, a MOD spokesperson told The Sankei Shimbun that it would "continue to make every effort to ensure Japan's peace and security, and to protect the safety and peace of mind of the public."

(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: Akihiko Tozaki, The Sankei Shimbun