Americans disinclined to get involved in Asian conflicts

TOKYO - A survey by think tanks in the US, China, Japan and South Korea has revealed discrepancies among the four nations toward US troops being deployed to Asia during times of crisis. While people in Japan and South Korea expect the American military to come to the rescue, the majority of Americans think otherwise.

When asked if the US should deploy its military in the case of North Korea attacking South Korea, 91% of South Koreans said yes. In the US, however, the support ratio was 47%; lower than the 49% who disagreed.

The Genron NPO of Japan, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs of the US, the East Asia Institute of South Korea and the Horizon Research Consultancy Group of China surveyed 7,000 citizens about their perceptions toward Asia.

The results were similar for scenarios such as if North Korea were to attack Japan (71% of Japanese say the US should send troops, 48% of Americans agree) and if China and Japan were to clash over the Senkaku Islands, called Diaoyu in China (56% of Japanese and 33% of Americans agree US troops should be sent).

As for a Taiwan crisis, Americans and Chinese showed similar opposition to US troop deployment, with 68% of Americans and 82% of Chinese opposed.

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