Philippine E-Journals

Degree of Social Distance between Japanese and Filipinos in Manila

Shiro Ito | Rachel Varona

Discipline: Social Science

 

Abstract:

This study measured and analyzed the degree of social distance perceived by Japanese nationals towards their Filipino hosts in Manila, the Philippines. The Social Distance Scale (SDS) created by Bogardus (1933) was used for a cross-sectional assessment of 74 Japanese volunteers. Socio-economic data, duration of stay, age, adherence to Japanese traditions, and the extent of personal networks were all related to the SDS scores. There was a 50% resistance to more intimate types of social contact. Attitudes towards 10 nationalities were assessed. Among these, Filipinos ranked third in terms of closeness. Some socio-political explanations for these findings are advanced. This study is the first to analyze the closeness felt by expatriates towards their hosts, and provides an initial exploration of how the Bogardus method can be adapted to an Asian setting.