Are Japanese Spousal Terms as Gender-Biased as They Seem? An Examination Using Implicit Association Measures

This study investigated whether traditional Japanese spousal terms—shujin (“master”) and kanai (“inside-the-house”)—retain male-dominant connotations at an implicit cognitive level. Using a paper-based Implicit Association Test (FUMIE Test), we compared implicit attitudes toward traditional and neutral spousal terms among Japanese university students. The results showed no significant difference between the two term pairs, suggesting that shujin and kanai may have become conventionalized rather than consciously processed as hierarchical. However, a significant gender difference emerged: male participants evaluated male-associated terms more positively, while female participants showed no bias. These findings indicate that while traditional terms may no longer be overtly discriminatory, latent gender asymmetries persist—particularly among men. The study highlights the importance of examining both implicit and explicit dimensions of language use and contributes a novel methodological tool for exploring gender bias in sociolinguistic research.