Japan 'most trusted' by ASEAN despite low influence, study shows

SINGAPORE -- Japan is the most trusted major power among Southeast Asian opinion leaders, a recent regional survey shows, outpacing the U.S. and China despite the two superpowers remaining the most influential in the region both as key financiers and military partners. 

The annual survey, which was released this week by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, showed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' trust level in Japan was at 58.9%, up from 54.5% last year, beating the U.S., China, India and the European Union.