SEOUL — An increasing number of South Korean parents are actively searching for Japanese spouses for their adult children, reflecting a profound shift in cultural perceptions and cross-border relations between Seoul and Tokyo.

According to recent reports, inquiries from parents looking to match their children with Japanese partners now account for roughly 20% of all consultations at some major international marriage agencies in South Korea.

A 26% Surge in Korean-Japanese Marriages

The growing trend of intercultural marriages was recently highlighted by the Japanese newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei). Government and industry data show that marriages between South Korean men and Japanese women reached 1,483 cases last year—a 26% increase from the previous year and the highest figure recorded since 2015, when 1,483 such unions were registered.

Nikkei attributed this steady climb to vibrant cultural exchanges among the younger generations of both nations. While K-pop and Korean dramas continue to captivate Japanese youth, South Koreans have increasingly embraced Japanese animation, music, and lifestyle trends. Cultural staples like One Piece, Naruto, and Chiikawa, alongside Japanese stationery and interior design, have fostered active communities among young South Koreans, significantly narrowing the psychological distance between the two neighboring countries.

Furthermore, social media platforms and YouTube channels featuring intercultural couples sharing their daily dating and married lives have normalized international relationships, reshaping public attitudes that were once hesitant or unfamiliar with cross-border unions.

Shifting Attitudes Reaching the Older Generation

This favorable view of Japan is no longer confined to the younger demographic; it has progressively permeated the parent generation.

At specialized matchmaking firms in South Korea, a notable share of parents—about one in five inquiries—are explicitly requesting Japanese daughters-in-law. This trend underscores a generational transformation even among older Koreans who historically harbored deep-seated resentment stemming from historical conflicts.

Experts point out that the parents of today’s marriage-aged youth grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, consuming Japanese pop culture during their formative years. Adolescents who once spent their youth reading classic manga series like Dragon Ball and Slam Dunk have now entered middle age, fundamentally altering how they view cross-border marriages for their children.

Record-High Favorability Ratings Across All Ages

A survey conducted in August by the East Asia Institute in South Korea revealed that 54.3% of South Korean respondents held a "positive impression" of Japan—the highest percentage recorded since the institute began tracking the data in 2013.

Notably, last year marked the first time that favorability toward Japan among respondents aged 60 and older surpassed the 50% threshold. This indicates that pro-Japan sentiments are no longer limited to a specific age group but span across generations.

Nikkei noted that this rising tide of goodwill—spreading effortlessly from youth to parents—is dismantling the traditional view that bilateral relations are defined solely by political friction. As cultural ties continue to deepen, the bridge between South Korea and Japan is proving resilient, connecting generations like never before.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]