탈냉전기의 미일관계 = 일본 내 친미여론의 사회적 배경에 관한 연구

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This article aims to ascertain whether and to what extent the income, occupation and educational level of a Japanese individual separately or jointly affect their image of the United States. The paper concludes that there are some connections between the socioeconomic variables of the Japanese and their images of the United States. That is, the cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions of Japanese attitudes towards the United States are not independent from the socioeconomic status of respondents. Favorable images of the United States are far more common among the affluent Japanese than among the poor. Recognition of the importance of the United States to Japan and affective feelings towards the United States are also more widely shared among Japanese opinion? leaders such as decision? makers, professionals and management groups. Among the socioeconomic variables that are considered in this article, a higher educational level is most likely to signify a favorable image of the United States. Favorable images of the United States and the acknowledgment of the United States' importance to Japan's well? being are more widespread among the highly educated Japanese than the less-educated. Similarly, positive evaluations of the United States' role during the post-Cold War era are more frequently expressed among the highly educated and affluent than the less-educated and poor. It is argued that the attitudes of the attentive Japanese public towards the United States are different from that of the general public. This reasoning suggests that the attitudes of the attentive public towards the United States will be similar to those of the Japanese elite because the socioeconomic status and background of the attentive public are generally closer to those of the elite than to the rest of the mass public. This reasoning can also be applied to the fact that elements of the internationalist world view are more widely embraced by the elite than the general public because better-educated people are more attentive to foreign policy and supportive of a more active Japanese role in the international community.