Giri (Japanese)

A traditional Japanese concept, whereby social obligations are implied to those with whom one has social relations, whether in terms of superior/inferior or in being beholden for some favour. Such social norms are expected to be upheld even where this conflicts with [ninjo]

or natural feelings. A related concept, on, is used to refer to the social and psychological debt felt upon receiving a favour or gift of major proportions. As an inordinate debt, its payment is binding in expectation, although its profound significance implies that an individual that an individual can never be finally cleared from it.