[Seo Midum's Book Review] A Korean Anthropologist's Insights After 18 Years in Japan

[Asia Economy, reporter Seo Midum] Cultural differences exist across societies. For example, consider the act of eating a meal. In Korean culture, it is considered polite to place the bowl on the table and eat rice with a spoon. However, in Japan, this is not the case. Bowing over to eat is seen as undignified, likened to the posture of a dog eating its food. Instead, people typically raise the rice bowl to chest height and eat with their backs straight.

In truth, such differences can be easily understood once learned. If a factual misunderstanding occurs, it can simply be corrected. The real issue lies in prejudice. Media anthropologist Kim Kyunghwa shares insights based on 18 years of living in Japan in her book "Same Japan, Different Japan" (Dongasia).

The author lists numerous differences between Koreans and Japanese, one of which is the tendency for uncritical thinking among the Japanese public. While there are voices critical of the government, they are much quieter than in Korea. One of the author's acquaintances diagnosed this as being "because they have never experienced the devastation caused by unchecked power." There is some truth to this. Korean society has endured painful experiences of violent oppression and abuse of power, such as military dictatorship and democratization movements. In contrast, at least in recent history, the Japanese have rarely felt the tyranny of power firsthand.

However, the author presents a different perspective. She argues that, since Japan's defeat in World War II, the country has been preoccupied with regaining its international standing, leading to relative neglect of internal social contradictions and problems. She explains, "A mindset has taken root in which complex social issues are reduced to simple economic tasks or treated as if they are diplomatic matters. As a result, extreme claims such as hosting the Tokyo Olympics to overcome the Fukushima nuclear disaster gain traction." She further notes, "The Japanese civil society's slow response to movements like #MeToo or the digital government initiative, and even the puzzling tendency to defend premodern attitudes as 'uniquely Japanese culture,' are all related to this background."

There are also differences in perceptions of women. While gender roles are becoming increasingly blurred in Korea, they remain relatively clear in Japan. There is a strong belief that these are inevitable outcomes of physical and cultural differences, leading many to accept the situation where even highly educated women live as 'career-interrupted women.'

The Japanese term "joseiryoku" (literally, "woman power") also reveals the country's perception of gender. While it ostensibly means "a woman's ability to improve her own life," it is often described in terms such as "an appreciation for beauty and self-care," "gentle speech," or "developing cooking skills." Popularized by women's magazines in the early 2000s, the term became so prominent that it was selected as a "buzzword of the year" in 2009 and is still frequently mentioned today.

Kindness is a familiar image associated with Japanese people. They are careful not to inconvenience others and always adopt a cautious attitude. For this reason, the author notes that "sumimasen" (meaning "I'm sorry") is the phrase she heard and used most often in Japan.

This raises a question: Are these frequent apologies truly sincere? The author explains that the manner of apologizing is different. While an apology generally involves admitting one's fault and seeking forgiveness, in Japan, it is more akin to a personal commitment to maintaining order. According to the author, it is a way to prevent or resolve conflict by expressing superficial regret so that everyone can get along. However, when it comes to historical issues, the lack of proper apologies is interpreted as a failure to meet even the minimum standard of conduct, leaving a bitter aftertaste.

Same Japan, Different Japan | Written by Kim Kyunghwa | Illustrated by Kim Ilyoung | Dongasia | 352 pages | 17,500 KRW

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.