Japanese and South Korean attitudes toward each other have often been strained, in turn putting stress on formal relations between both countries. However, both countries are experiencing a growth in consumption of the other’s popular culture. This thesis asks: Does increasing popular culture consumption create more favorable attitudes in these two countries toward each other, as many analysts expect? Although citizens in both countries consume more of the other’s popular culture than might be expected, and all else being equal, this does appear to improve mutual attitudes although it has apparently not been enough to improve mutual overall impressions. Consumption is restricted to certain portions of the population, and any positive impact that it yields appears outweighed by other issues, particularly disputes over differing interpretations of Japan’s past colonial rule.

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Lieutenant, United States Navy