Sensitivity in Japanese Society: Changing Attitudes and Debates

Japanese society is becoming more sensitive to gender issues and societal perceptions, as seen in recent controversies and the emergence of new terms.

### Rising Sensitivity and Social Issues in Japan: A Comparative Analysis with Korea
* 🇯🇵 Japanese society is experiencing a shift towards **increased sensitivity in various social matters**, including **gender and societal norms**.
* 👶 A recent controversial incident involved a pregnant woman posting cookies with a cute baby illustration, intended as a gift for maternity leave, on social media, sparking a **heated debate on social issues and fertility perceptions**.
* 🇰🇷 While Korea has been known for its sensitivity to gender issues, Japan's changing attitudes towards topics like childbirth and motherhood suggest that it should not be **underestimated** in this regard.
* 🍱 The renaming of a major convenience store's corner from "Mom's Restaurant" due to the term "mom" being perceived as instilling a fixed idea of mothers cooking highlights **Japan's evolving social norms**.
* 👴 The emergence of the term "**young rogaie-ngi**" in Japan, referring to older individuals who make young people uncomfortable, and "**Jakku-ga**," meaning childish behavior in the younger generation, reflects the ongoing conflicts and generational differences in the society.
* 🇰🇷 While the text primarily focuses on Japan, the mention of Korea suggests that both countries are following a **similar path of increasing sensitivity to various social issues**.
* 🔄 "It's more like the feeling that something that has been present but not clearly expressed has now come to the surface," indicating that the conflicts and sensitivities in Japanese society are not entirely new but are becoming **more visible and pronounced**.

Japan used to say that it is easier to make sexual jokes or stories compared to Korea, but now it seems that it is time to correct this part. Recently, Japan is also going through significant changes in atmosphere. Many companies are becoming stricter in disciplining sexual harassment within the workplace, and I believe that a cautious atmosphere has definitely been formed compared to before. However, within this trend, there seems to be a tendency to interpret and accept various situations in society more sensitively. Today, I would like to introduce a few cases that personally made me feel that Japanese society has become too sensitive these days. In Japan, taking maternity leave is called san-kyu yu-ka (meaning taking a break after childbirth for more than a year). Therefore, sometimes gifts like snacks are exchanged as a way of saying please take good care after giving birth.

Recently, cookies that came out as gifts from a certain company suddenly became an issue. These cookies have a cute baby illustration printed with the phrase Please take care of me. However, due to a photo of these cookies posted on social media by a pregnant woman, it sparked a heated debate. Some people are expressing negative reactions like, Is she showing off her happiness because she can't have a baby even if she wants one? There's no consideration for those who can't have children. On the other hand, there are responses defending the original poster, saying, Why is it a problem that it's just cute? Having a baby has become a status symbol nowadays, and in Japan, many people can't afford to have children due to economic burdens. Moreover, the gap created by childcare leave practically increases the workload for employees without children. This controversy has caused a heated debate. Some may think, Why is this even a topic of debate? However, it seems that some people perceive this cute cookie as if it were promoting fertility. By the way, speaking of which, recently at the outlet...

I went out and saw not babies but dogs in strollers. Although Japan is not as serious as Korea, the issue of childbirth is worsening, and the perception of childbirth seems to be gradually turning negative, which is bitter. Honestly, I used to think that Korea was much more sensitive to gender issues, but these days, I think Japan is not to be underestimated. In the past, there was a corner in a very major convenience store in Japan selling side dishes and snacks under the name Mom's Restaurant, but suddenly the word mom became a problem, and one day it was changed to a different name. Some high school girls abandoned the petition movement demanding a name change, saying that the word mom instilled a fixed idea of ​​mothers cooking. Korea is also a sensitive country to gender issues, but there are many restaurants with the word mom in them, and Korea's famous franchises.

At Mom's Touch, it also means a mother's touch, right? As far as I remember, these words have never been a problem. It's quite interesting that the word mother has become such an issue in Japan. If there are young kkondae in Korea, in Japan, there is a term young rogaie-ngi, which means an elderly person who is uncomfortable for young people. Recently, young employees in their 30s and 40s are called young ro-ai, which includes the Yutori generation introduced before, encompassing a similar age group. It can be considered almost synonymous with the term young kkondae in Korea. They mainly talk about trivial matters, and at drinking gatherings with senior colleagues who don't notice when the boss's glass is empty, they criticize the junior for not noticing and give them a hard time, implying understanding but not offering help, saying it's for your own good, and laying out unwanted advice.

It broadly refers to conflicts. In fact, conflicts that did not exist before suddenly arose, but rather have been ongoing. It's more like the feeling that something that has been present but not clearly expressed has now come to the surface. By the way, in opposition to this, the word Jakku-ga has also emerged, meaning childish. As can be seen from the word Jakku itself, it refers to the young generation that lacks responsibility for their own work, such as being absent from work without permission, sleeping during work hours, or even using retirement services when they decide to quit due to negligent work attitudes. Today, I talked about the sensitivity of Japanese society. I didn't talk much about Korea, but I think both Korea and Japan are on the same path. I'm curious how you all felt about today's discussion. I would appreciate it if you could share your opinions in the comments. Thank you.

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The Changing Atmosphere in Japanese Society

Companies in Japan are now taking stricter measures to address sexual harassment in the workplace, creating a more cautious atmosphere.

There is a growing sensitivity in Japanese society, as seen in the controversy over cookies with a baby illustration being interpreted as promoting fertility.

The issue has sparked a heated debate about the societal pressure of having children and the impact of childcare leave on employees.

Changing Perceptions of Motherhood and Gender Issues in Japan and Korea

The perception of motherhood is gradually turning negative in Japan, as seen in the controversy over the use of the word "mom.

" This issue highlights Japan's increasing sensitivity to gender issues, similar to Korea.

In both countries, there is a growing concern over the behavior of elderly individuals towards the younger generation, with terms like "young rogaie-ngi" in Japan and "young kkondae" in Korea being used to describe them.

This reflects a common struggle with intergenerational dynamics and workplace relationships in both societies.

The Emergence of Conflicts and "Jakku-ga" in Japanese Society

Conflicts in Japanese society have escalated, bringing to light long-standing issues.

The term "Jakku-ga" has also surfaced, describing the irresponsible behavior of the younger generation in the workplace.

This sensitivity in Japanese society may resonate with the situation in Korea, reflecting a shared path of societal challenges.

Hesitation can be overcome with small, manageable steps and a focus on the end goal.

It's important to address the root cause of hesitation to effectively move forward.

Seeking support from others can also provide the encouragement needed to push through hesitation.