Evolution of the Mutual Images in Russian-Japanese Relations

All aspects of Russia-Japan relations, as well as the cultural features of each country left their mark on its images, and the mutual images are a barometer of the condition of interstate relations, therefore studying them makes it possible to better understand the relations between two countries. The purpose of the study is to identify the conditions, factors and processes of the creation of mutual images of Russia and Japan. The realization of the goal involves number of specific tasks: 1) analyze the reasons for the formation of a mutual negative image; 2) identify the features of the formation of a mutual positive image; 3) follow the trend of mutual images in the public opinion of the two countries. To solve these problems, a mixed research method was used with a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis, focusing on previous research on this topic, as well as on public opinion polls. In the sequence of the study, it was established that at the present stage of the evolution of mutual images of Russia and Japan a general tendency is visible: a change in the mutual perception from negative to positive. The difference is only in the speed of this change. If in Russia the “enemy image” quickly changed to a more positive since the mid-1980s (and the negative is determined only by the territorial problem), in Japan the negative image still dominates in the middle and older age group, the main reason being the historically negative image of Russia. However, there has been a positive trend in changing the image of Russia among Japanese youth, which gives hope for positive changes in the future.