Japanese Media: "March 1st Korean Trip to Japan... Korea, from NO Japan to YES Japan"

"South Korea, Which Had a Boycott Movement, Sees Rising Popularity of Japan"

"Japan's popularity is rising among young people in Korea."

On the second day of President Yoon Seok-yeol's visit to Japan on the 17th, major Japanese media reported that anti-Japanese sentiment in Korea is easing. They noted that President Yoon's efforts to improve Korea-Japan relations continue, and that various cultural contents such as Japanese animation have recently gained popularity domestically.

Yomiuri reported on the 17th (local time) that "In Korea, where a boycott of Japanese products occurred during the Moon Jae-in administration, Japan's popularity is rising again," adding, "Young people who, like the conservative Yoon Seok-yeol administration, seek to improve Japan-Korea relations in a future-oriented way are leading this boom."

They also predicted, "This summit between the two countries' leaders is expected to further spread a thawing atmosphere between the two nations." President Yoon is visiting Japan for 1 night and 2 days from the 16th to the 17th, attending the summit and a business roundtable, among other events.

The Japanese film The First Slam Dunk continues to perform well at the box office in Korea.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The media also assessed that anti-Japanese sentiment is softening among the public. As evidence, they stated, "Since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the most popular overseas travel destination is Japan," emphasizing, "About half of the international flight tickets sold in January last year were to Japan, with Osaka, Fukuoka, and Tokyo ranking as the top three. Even on March 1st, which commemorates the independence movement resisting Japanese colonial rule, flights to Japan were very busy."

Japanese cultural content is also gaining great popularity in Korea. The Japanese animation The First Slam Dunk surpassed 4 million cumulative viewers as of the 12th, setting the highest box office record among Japanese films released domestically.

Suzume no Tojimari, released on the 8th, also surpassed 1 million viewers within 6 days of its release, clearly showing the strong presence of Japanese films in the Korean screen market.

Yomiuri reported that this phenomenon contrasts with the past when the 'No Japan' movement emerged. The media described the changed popularity of Japan as the "Yes Japan phenomenon," emphasizing, "Among young people, while historical issues are regarded as long-term challenges, the idea that both sides should cooperate for mutual economic development is spreading."