The Japanese and South Korean flags. [Yonhap News] 

Japanese people consider security, including the North Korean issue, as the most important matter for diplomatic cooperation with South Korea.

According to the results of the "Domestic Public Opinion Survey on Diplomacy" released by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 6th, which surveyed 1,000 men and women aged 18 and over by phone on February 18, 53.7% of respondents cited "security, including the North Korean issue" as a matter for diplomatic cooperation with South Korea (multiple selections allowed).

Following this, the response rates were high for "Economy and Finance" at 39.8%, "Human and Cultural Exchange" at 36.9%, "Resolution of the Takeshima Issue" (Japan's name for Dokdo) at 34.9%, "Resolution of Historical Issues" at 30.0%, and "Common Social Challenges including low birth rate and aging population" at 20.9%.

4.7% responded "There is no need to cooperate in any field," and 2.7% answered "I don't know."

Compared to last year's survey by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the response rates for "Economy and Finance" and "Human and Cultural Exchange" have increased.

In last year's survey, 53.0% of respondents cited "security, including the North Korean issue," followed by "Resolution of the Takeshima Issue" (35.7%), "Resolution of Historical Issues" (35.7%), "Economy and Finance" (32.8%), and "Human and Cultural Exchange" (31.5%).