With China poised to replace Japan as the world's No. 2 economy, Japanese are increasingly taking a more critical look at their country, once referred to as a nation of "economic animals" and known as Japan Inc.
According to an Asahi Shimbun survey, about 95 percent of Japanese are worried about Japan's future, while 62 percent say the nation is being rapidly overtaken by other countries.
And while acknowledging that Japan's economy--once the envy of much of the world--may no longer be a main source of pride, more than half of the respondents said Japan does not need to strive to become a major global power.
According to the survey, 75 percent of Japanese have pride in their country, but only 34 percent said they had pride in Japan's economy.
Sixty-five percent of the respondents said the economy was not a source of pride.
For the multiple-choice question on what aspects of Japan they are proud of, 94 percent cited the nation's technological prowess, while 92 percent pointed to its traditional culture.
