Correcting Misperceptions Across Contexts: The Political Impact of Gender Inequality Information in Japan and South Korea

How do citizens respond to accurate information regarding social inequality? This study examines public perceptions of gender inequality in Japan and South Korea—two high-income democracies characterized by persistent gender gaps but contrasting political contexts. Using original survey data and preregistered survey experiments (N = 7,000), we test whether corrective information about gender disparities influences support for related government policies. The findings reveal notable cross-national variation: While corrective information had a minimal effect on Japanese respondents, it significantly increased support for gender equality measures among South Koreans, especially women. These varied findings suggest that the effectiveness of informational interventions depends on contextual factors. Specifically, we argue that the success of these interventions hinges on the political salience of the issue and the national informational environment, both of which enhance the likelihood of attitude change in the South Korean context. By examining misperceptions and their correction, this study contributes to the understanding of opinion formation, policy attitudes, and the conditional effects of information in shaping public perceptions of inequality.