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A Japan-Korea Comparative Study of Changes in Interpersonal Behavior in Gratitude Situations With Reference to Ozaki (2008)

  • 日本硏究
  • 2024, (61), pp.7-24
  • DOI : 10.20404/jscau.2024.08.61.07
  • Publisher : The Center for Japanese Studies
  • Research Area : Humanities > Japanese Language and Literature
  • Received : July 11, 2024
  • Accepted : July 27, 2024
  • Published : August 20, 2024

Ro Ju Hyoun 1

1덕성여자대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a longitudinal comparison based on the same questions utilized in Ozaki (2008), who investigated and analyzed differences in gratitude-related behavior between Japan and Korea. This study aimed to assess whether the differences observed between the two countries approximately 20 years ago remain relevant today. The findings indicate that as of 2023, gratitude behavior in Japan and Korea is similar in that expressing thanks to anyone who fulfills a request is common regardless of the request’s significance. The differences observed between Japan and Korea in 2003 have mostly disappeared, likely due to the increased proportion of Koreans who express gratitude to friends and family, a number that has reached levels similar to those in Japan in 2023 compared to 2003. This shift may reflect attitudinal changes toward family and friends, as well as changes in interpersonal behavior and perceptions of nonverbal communication. For example, factors such as changes in family and close relationships due to declining birth rates and the COVID-19 pandemic, shifts in child-rearing practices and home education, the evolving importance of linguistic socialization regarding the use of expressions such as “thank you,” and increased exposure to foreign cultures might have influenced this behavior. However, this study’s findings are based on a limited number of scenarios, and caution should be exercised when generalizing these results. Since the study focused on trends over time and replicated a survey conducted 20 years ago, some scenarios, such as “sending a letter” and “buying a book,” may no longer be relevant to the modern context. Therefore, further research incorporating new scenarios via survey items that can more clearly highlight the current differences between Japan and Korea is needed. We would like to address these issues in our future research.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.