Korean media: Once dominant over South Korea, Japan now overtaken—Japanese netizens shocked!

On October 17, South Korean media outlet iNews24 published an article stating, “We have already fallen behind South Korea. South Korea’s ranking has risen, while Japan’s has dropped.”

A projection by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) indicates that South Korea’s per capita GDP this year will significantly surpass Japan’s, triggering a strong reaction among Japanese internet users.

Recently, a user posted in Japanese on a social media platform: “Although Japanese news outlets have not widely reported it, the IMF’s announcement shows that South Korea’s projected per capita GDP for 2026 is $43,512, compared to Japan’s $35,400—a considerable gap.”

The user added, “Considering that in 1990, South Korea’s per capita GDP was $6,848, while Japan’s was $25,809, the reversal of fortunes within just one generation is stark,” and noted, “Unless Japan undertakes some form of structural change, this trend will persist.”

This projection was included in the IMF’s most recent World Economic Outlook report.

In its April report, the IMF had forecast South Korea’s per capita GDP for this year at $37,412; however, the estimate was substantially revised upward in October.

Meanwhile, the IMF projects that Japan’s per capita GDP this year will decline to $35,400, down from last year.

Japanese online users expressed profound surprise at the development.

One commenter wrote on an online forum: “While young people in Japan remain largely confined domestically, we have watched South Korean youth actively pursue education abroad. I believe the moment when we were surpassed was merely a matter of time.”

He observed, “When driving through city streets, you see Korean vehicles; when visiting electronics stores, Korean products dominate. Once, cosmetics from Japan were sought after overseas—but now they are predominantly Korean. The entertainment industry has also achieved global success.”

Another user remarked: “Times have truly changed. In the past, traveling to South Korea meant spending freely. Now, no matter where we go, money always feels insufficient.”

Some users also pointed to structural weaknesses in Japan’s economy.

One emphasized, “Losing ground to South Korea in semiconductor memory production was a decisive setback. Japan should re-engage in efforts to revitalize its semiconductor industry.”

Another perspective suggested, “Japan should maintain friendly relations with Asian nations, actively promote exchanges in talent, economy, and academia, and draw lessons from both South Korea and China.”

At the same time, the IMF forecasts that the economic gap between the two countries will continue to widen.

The IMF projects South Korea’s per capita GDP to reach $59,919 by 2031—approaching $60,000—while Japan’s is expected to be only $41,953 in the same year.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879296873450572/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.