[EAI Working Paper] Analysis of Generational Perceptions of Korea-Japan Relations: Korea-Japan Relations as Viewed by the Youth Generation (MZ Generation)

"Analysis of Generational Perceptions of Korea-Japan Relations: Korea-Japan Relations as Viewed by the Youth Generation (MZ Generation)

The research team for 'Analysis of Generational Perceptions of Korea-Japan Relations' at the East Asia Institute (EAI) conducted an in-depth analysis of the results from the past seven years (2013-2019) of the <Survey on East Asian Perceptions of Koreans>, which EAI has jointly conducted annually with Japan's Genron NPO since 2013. Special attention was paid to the perceptions of South Korea's youth generation regarding Japan and Korea-Japan relations. The youth generation, comprising those in their 20s and 30s as of 2020, is also referred to as the 'MZ Generation,' composed of Millennials and Generation Z. The research team analyzed the characteristics of the MZ generation's views on Japan and Korea-Japan relations, focusing on keywords such as a self-centered foreign policy outlook, viewing Japan as a 'consumer good,' and prioritizing 'fairness' over anti-Japan sentiment. This working paper, authored by a research team of Korean Millennial Japan scholars born in the early 1980s, is presented in the following order: Korea-Japan Relations, Security, History, and Socio-cultural aspects.

Analysis of Generational Perceptions of Korea-Japan Relations: Korea-Japan Relations as Viewed by the Youth Generation (MZ Generation).

1. Oh Seung-hee: Analysis of Generational Perceptions of Korea-Japan Relations: Korea-Japan Relations. A Self-Centered Foreign Policy Outlook, Viewing Japan as a 'Consumer Good,' and Prioritizing 'Fairness' Over Anti-Japan Sentiment.[Read Report]

2. Cho Eun-il: Analysis of Generational Perceptions of Korea-Japan Relations: Security. Korea-Japan Security Relations as Viewed by the Youth Generation (MZ Generation). [Read Report]

3. Yoon Seok-jeong: Analysis of Generational Perceptions of Korea-Japan Relations: History. The MZ Generation and the Issue of Japanese Military 'Comfort Women'.[Read Report]

4. Seok Ju-hee: Analysis of Generational Perceptions of Korea-Japan Relations: Socio-cultural Aspects. The Korean Wave and 'Hate': The Paradoxes of the MZ Generation. [Read Report]

In the process of analyzing the diverse survey data on Japan accumulated by the East Asia Institute, our research team focused particularly on the perceptions of South Korea's youth generation regarding Japan and Korea-Japan relations. The youth generation, comprising those in their 20s and 30s, is also referred to as the 'MZ Generation,' composed of Millennials and Generation Z. Although not a formally established academic concept, 'MZ Generation' is a collective term for Millennials, born from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s (or early 2000s), and Generation Z, born from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s.

Key characteristics of the MZ generation include: 1) Familiarity with digital environments; Generation Z, in particular, are Digital Natives who utilize digital devices as fluently as their native language. 2) A pursuit of diverse life experiences (often referred to as 'Damanchu' or 'seeking diverse encounters'). 3) Expressing personal tastes, beliefs, and convictions, known as 'Meaning Out.' 4) Prioritizing work-life balance (Waralbel) and seeking optimal satisfaction in consumption through 'Balance Isseon' (balance is best). 5) Viewing the world from a self-centered perspective and prioritizing personal satisfaction (Mysider). They may save money during normal times but engage in 'Flex' activities, making bold purchases for themselves to showcase their success and wealth. While there are various other characteristics, the values and preferences of the MZ generation can be summarized as prioritizing individual happiness over group happiness, sharing over ownership, experiences over goods, pursuing balance, and emphasizing the expression of personal beliefs.

Why then should we focus on the MZ generation? The MZ generation is emerging as a pivotal group in South Korean society, acting as major consumers and possessing political influence, gathering information through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Their distinct perceptions of Japan and Korea-Japan relations, differentiating them from previous generations, warrant attention as they influence overall average perceptions and drive changes in Koreans' views of Japan.

The <Analysis of Generational Perceptions of Korea-Japan Relations> research team analyzes the characteristics of the MZ generation's views on Japan and Korea-Japan relations, focusing on keywords such as a self-centered foreign policy outlook, viewing Japan as a 'consumer good,' and prioritizing 'fairness' over anti-Japan sentiment. The research team, composed of Korean Millennial Japan scholars born in the early 1980s, analyzed relevant survey data with a focus on generational variables, in the order of overall Korea-Japan relations, security, history, and socio-cultural aspects.

The first paper in the series, by EAI Senior Researcher Oh Seung-hee, focuses on Korea-Japan relations and analyzes survey questions regarding general impressions of Japan and the importance of Korea-Japan relations. The second paper, by Senior Researcher Cho Eun-il of the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, examines perceptions of Japan's military threat, militarization, the possibility of military conflict, and views on the P-1 aircraft incident. The third paper, by Professor Yoon Seok-jeong of the Center for Japanese Studies at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, concentrates on the MZ generation's awareness and assessment of the 'comfort women' issue. The fourth paper, by HK Professor Seok Ju-hee of the Institute for Japanese Studies at Hallym University, explores the Korean Wave and popular culture, as well as anti-Korean sentiment and protests against Japan, discussing the characteristics and paradoxes of the MZ generation. Each paper is structured independently yet interconnected, expected to provide insights into the overall understanding of Korea-Japan relations from the perspective of the youth generation (MZ Generation).

The analytical method focused on responses from individuals aged 19-29 and 30-39 within the annual surveys. We adopted an approach that compares the responses of individuals aged 19-29, corresponding to Generation Z, and those aged 30-39, comprising Millennials, with those of other age groups. During the analysis, it was observed that Millennials and Generation Z exhibited similar tendencies in some aspects, while differing in others. Therefore, instead of grouping the 19-29 and 30-39 age cohorts as a single MZ generation, we adopted an approach that comparatively analyzes the distinct trends, differences, and commonalities between Millennials and Generation Z.

The perceptions of the MZ generation regarding Japan and Korea-Japan relations are gradually evolving. While some aspects remain indistinguishable from previous generations, distinct trends are clearly emerging, particularly in economic perceptions and views on militarism, which differ from the past. Historical conflicts remain unresolved, and the sharp escalation of Korea-Japan tensions in 2019, coupled with the crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, continues to pose challenges to Korea-Japan relations. We hope that the research conducted by this team can serve as a foundation for formulating a new blueprint for Korea-Japan relations.

■ Author: Oh Seung-hee, Senior Researcher at the East Asia Institute (EAI). She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Ewha Womans University. Her research areas include Japanese foreign policy, China-Japan relations, and foreign policy analysis. Her major works and papers include '70 Years of Post-War China-Japan Relations: From the Mao Zedong-Yoshida Shigeru Era to the Xi Jinping-Abe Shinzo Era' (2019, co-authored), 'Abe Cabinet's Asia Policy: The Othering of Asia for a Strong Japan,' Japanese Studies (2018), and 'Post-War Japan's Struggle for Recognition and the Normalization of China-Japan Relations: A Recognition Theory Approach to the One China Principle,' Korean Political Science Review (2017).

■ Author: Cho Eun-il, Senior Researcher at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA). He graduated from the Department of Political Science at Waseda University, Japan, and obtained a Ph.D. in Political Science from Yonsei University. His research areas include international politics, international security, and arms control. Recent publications include 'Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy during the Abe Era,' Korea and International Politics (2020), 'A Study on the Temporal Changes in South Korea's Arms Control Policy' (2020, co-authored), Defense Policy Review, 'North Korea Policy of the Abe Administration,' Journal of Korea-Japan Military Culture (2019), and 'A Study on the U.S. Missile Defense System Since the Bush Administration,' National Strategy (2019).

■ Author: Yoon Seok-jeong, Professor at the Center for Japanese Studies, Korea National Diplomatic Academy. He earned a Ph.D. in Political Science from Keio University, Japan. His main research areas are Korea-Japan relations and Japanese foreign policy. Recent publications include 'The 1965 System and the Abe Administration's Efforts to Normalize Korea-Japan Relations: Focusing on the December 28 Agreement and the Forced Mobilization Issue' (2020), 'The Abe Administration's Reinterpretation of Collective Self-Defense and Japanese Party Politics: Dynamics of Party Politics Surrounding the July 1 Cabinet Decision' (co-authored, 2019), International and Regional Studies, and 'Korea-Japan Relations in the 1990s and the Korea-Japan Joint Declaration: Cooperation and Institutionalization Attempts in the Post-Cold War Era Amidst Structural Changes in Korea-Japan Relations' (2019), Journal of Japanese Studies.

■ Author: Seok Ju-hee, HK Professor at the Institute for Japanese Studies, Hallym University. She received her Ph.D. in Political Science from Ewha Womans University. Her main research areas include Japanese politics, social movements, and civil society. Recent research includes 'The Restoration of Post-War Japanese Right-Wing and its Socio-Political Background: The 1960 Security Treaty Struggle and Social Movements' (2020), International Politics, 'The Emergence of the New Right-Wing and the Birth of 'Everyday Nationalism'' (2020), National Studies, and 'Quarterly Samchulli Index Volumes 4 and 5' (co-authored, 2020).

■ Planning and Editing: Oh Seung-hee, Senior Researcher at EAI

Inquiries: 02 2277 1683 (ext. 202) | seungheeoh@eai.or.kr

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