For example, how in English you might say “thank you for your patience” as a positive version of “Sorry for the wait” as having different psychological/social implications. In the case of English for the most part, the positive version being the preferable one. Is the same or similar true in Japanese?
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I don’t think there is one in Japanese.
待ってくれてありがとう。”Thank you for waiting” still contains a recognition of hardship on the other’s part. ありがとう > ありがたい > 有難い (although I’m sure no one thinks it like that anymore)
待たせてすみません。”I’m sorry for making you wait” is a bit more apparent and literal, but again assumes hardship/inconvenience.
The “correct” answers are usually to reply negatively: something like いいえ (No, I didn’t wait long). By denying the inconvenience (even if there was any) both parties save some sort of face.
Edited post.