ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the research methods used in this book. Combining three questionnaire-based survey data and in-depth interviews of Japanese journalists and scholars, this book intends to develop a more accurate portray of China's image in the eyes of the Japanese. The questionnaire survey data are analyzed to provide the understanding of the Japanese citizens' overall impression of China and Chinese people, their recognition of Chinese culture, the main channels they use to access to Chinese culture, and their perception of Sino-Japanese relations. In-depth interviews are designed to investigate the causes for various perceptions, and to find effective ways of improving Japanese perceptions of China and Sino-Japanese relations.
