The Acceptance of Japanese Literary Works among Mongolian Readers: A Case Study of Before the Coffee Gets Cold

Abstract

The public opinion survey in Mongolia shows that Japan is among the coun-tries with a high favorability rating among Mongolians, and Japanese literature is also widely popular in Mongolia. This study focuses on the novel Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. Taking the “horizon of expectations” in reception theory as the entry point, it analyzes this work from three dimen-sions: narrative structure, text translation, and reader evaluation. Combined with the book promotion model, it explores the reasons for the high acceptance and wide dissemination of Japanese literary works among Mongolian readers. The research indicates that the remarkable achievements of Japanese literature in Mongolia result from the combined efforts of the work’s intrinsic appeal, the adoption of translation strategies tailored to the local context, and the use of digital dissemination methods under the background of the global promotion of Japanese literature.This study highlights the factors contributing to the popularity of Japanese literature in Mongolia, which may offer broader implications for cross-cultural literary exchange and the global circulation of literature.