ABSTRACT
When expressing thanks, there is usually an imbalance in the relationship between the speaker and the listener. Th e speaker owes the listener a favor, as the listener is doing, or has done, something for their benefi t. By thanking them, the speaker expresses his/her feelings of indebtedness as well as those of thanks. What are some strategies Japanese speakers might use to acknowledge this imbalance? How could they attempt to remedy it?
