The Genron NPO and China International Publishing Group conducted joint opinion polls targeting the citizens of Japan and China between August and September 2016. This is the 12th annual opinion poll and it has been jointly conducted since 2005 when Japan-China relations were in the worst state. The objective of the survey is to continuously monitor the state of mutual understanding and perceptions of the Japanese and Chinese public toward each other, and the changes in them overtime.

The opinion poll in Japan was conducted from August 20th till September 4th, under the placement (self-administered) method, targeting men and women at the age of 18 and above (excluding high school students). The total number of valid responses obtained was 1,000. The highest levels of educational attainment of the respondents were as follows: junior high school diploma or below 8.2%, high school diploma 47.3%, junior college/technical college diploma 18.2%, bachelor's degree 23.7% and master's degree 1.3%.

The opinion poll in China was conducted from August 13th till August 24th, targeting men and women at the age of 18 and above in 10 cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang, Wuhan, Nanjing, Xian, Qingdao and Zhengzhou. The number of total valid responses obtained was 1,587. The highest levels of educational attainment of the respondents were as follows: junior high school diploma or below 10.2%, high school/technical high school/technical college diploma 34.9%, bachelor's degree 24.0%, double degree 0.2% and master's degree 0.5%.

The Genron NPO and China International Publishing Group also conducted separate opinion polls targeting experts in both countries. The questionnaire given to them was the same as that of public opinion poll targeting general public. The Japanese questionnaire was sent to approximately 2,000 people who have taken a part in discussion events or surveys organized by The Genron NPO. Among them were business leaders, academics, journalists and government officials in Japan. Valid responses obtained were 477. The highest levels of educational attainment of the respondents were as follows: bachelor's degree 65.0% and master's degree 25.4%.

The expert survey in China was based on a sample list generated from the Horizon Research Consultation Group's database of 45,000 people, including business leaders, government officials, journalists, experts and public organization officials. The poll was conducted over the phone between August 13th and August 24th. Valid responses obtained were 612 out of 5400 people. These samples were analyzed as views of the experts in China. The highest levels of educational attainment of the respondents were as follows: junior/technical college diploma8.5% bachelor's degree 37.7% double degree 1.1% master's degree 28.6% and PhD holder 18.0%.

The purpose of separate opinion polls targeting experts is for the Japanese and Chinese public to form their perception of the other country not only by their own country's media or Internet sites but also by the voice of experts who also gain information through visiting the other country or friends and acquaintances from there.