Changing Gift Giving Trends
Japan has traditionally been well known for its many gift giving customs including Oseibo and Ochugen where gifts are given to co-workers, friends, and relatives before New Years and in midsummer. However, these formalities are slowly being replaced with gifts given to mainly friends and relatives for birthdays and Christmas. Those giving gifts are mostly female, approximately one out of five, giving more than 11 gifts per year. Organic foods, shochu (Japanese distilled spirit), and flower arrangements are among the most common gifts. Gift ideas usually arise from browsing stores but also largely from the internet. Gifts are also bought mostly at department stores, stores within train stations, or on the internet.
B.A. in International Affairs from the University of Puget Sound in Washington.