In the survey, conducted online from November to December 2019 by NNA Japan Co., a Kyodo News group company, Vietnam received 42.1% of the 820 valid responses, based on factors such as its potential as a growing market and large supply of skilled, low-cost labor.
India was second at 12.2%, with expectations for its growing market and its potential as a doorway to the Middle East and Africa among the reasons cited.
Myanmar jumped three spots from the previous year to third place at 11.6%, while Indonesia was fourth at 6.6%.
China, which appears to have lost its appeal somewhat as an investment location due to concerns about its trade war with the United States and rising labor costs, ranking fifth at 5.1%.