The UK has been ranked first, and Japan eighth, in the world in terms of soft power according to a study by Portland Consulting Engineers, The Japan Times reported on 15 July.
The firm defined soft power as a country’s ability to harness attraction and persuasion to pursue foreign policy objectives. It analysed soft power resources in 50 countries across six categories: government, education, culture, enterprise, engagement and digital.
Japan ranked third in enterprise and fourth in education, while the UK scored particularly well in culture, education and digital.