Replication Data for: Crossing Currents: Age, Period, and Cohort Effects on Japanese Perceptions of China, Russia and the U.S. (2007–2022)

Diplomatic events are frequently cited as key determinants of public opinion on foreign countries. However, the process of political socialisation also plays a critical role in shaping such views over time. In this study, we examine trends in Japanese perceptions of China and Russia, China, Russia, and, as a comparative background, the U.S., focusing on the influences of age, period, and cohort effects. Utilising data from the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitude & Trends Survey (2007–2022), we apply the hierarchical age–period–cohort model to disentangle these three effects. Our findings indicate that while the older tend to hold more negative views of these countries, the influence of the age appears weaker than initially hypothesised. While major international crises tend to worsen perceptions across the board, regional disputes exert additional fluctuations. In comparison to the age and the period effects, cohort effects reveal a generational divide: First, contrasting with the U.S. case, different cohorts exhibit different perceptions toward China and Russia. Second, those born before or after the Cold War generally have more positive attitudes toward the two countries than those born during it. Notably, regional events appear to have little impact on these cohort-based attitudes. We also find that the age effect is more pronounced in the case of Russia, while period and cohort effects are more significant in the case of China. Our conclusions remain robust when controlling for other demographic factors. This study provides a temporal dynamics of Japanese perceptions, utilising sociological methods to explore issues within international relations.