“YASASHII NIHONGO” (EASY/PLAIN JAPANESE), 1985–2025 Contextual Developments and Public Attitudes as Indicators of Language Change — With Reference to the Swedish Case

Abstract

This study examines the diachronic change of Yasashii Nihongo (1985–2025), originally created to support foreign residents during disasters and described in some official sources as extending to various everyday contexts, including Japanese children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Using a quantitative, replicable method, 634 newspaper articles including the term Yasashii Nihongo were analyzed through text mining. For qualitative perspectives, public discourse on Yasashii Nihongo was also analyzed. Three chronological phases were identified: Japanese Language Education (1985–1994), Dissemination (1995–2015), and Development (2016–2025), with discourse primarily focused on use for foreign audiences. Comparison with Sweden revealed differences in the development of easy-to-understand communication styles and societal values. The study indicates that the spread of Yasashii Nihongo has led native speakers themselves, as recipients, to increasingly seek simple and clear Japanese, while its conceptual boundaries become increasingly blurred. Introducing the idea of International Japanese could mitigate citizens’ negative reactions to Yasashii Nihongo and help foster a society free from native-speaker dominance. Further research is needed to refine the concept and address underrepresented groups beyond foreigners.