[helboi4]

Japan has a pretty cold family culture compared to other nearby countries like China and Korea. They show respect for the eldery and the elderly have pride but they have broken down a lot of the multigenerational family dynamics that used to exist similarly to their neighbours. Showing respect when talking to elders is different to being close to them and really caring for them. There is also just such an extreme aging population that there is no way to care for all of them.

[decafninja]

As a Korean but with many Japanese friends (as well as cousins that live in Japan with a Japanese spouses), I noticed this too.

Was this always the case historically, or is it a more recent phenomenon.

Also, from what I observe, the child-parent relationship is starting to break down in Korea as well. Considering the demographic issues with low birth rates, I imagine my generation will have significant numbers of people without children to take care of them.

[helboi4]

I can't tell you how long it has been happening I don't know. But yeah I have plenty of Japanese friends who barely ever talk to their parents, let alone their grandparents. It's quite shocking.