A Sociology of Work in Japan

A comprehensive, introductory overview of the 'world of work' in Japan.

Ross Mouer (Author), Hirosuke Kawanishi (Author)

9780521658454, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 12 May 2005

324 pages, 56 tables
22.8 x 15.5 x 2.1 cm, 0.52 kg

"Rebick's analysis is masterfully institutional and his analysis is based on the most meticulous nalysis of primary and secondary labor data possible given the limits of data acces." - Mary C. Brinton, Harvard University

What shapes the decisions of employees in Japan? The authors of this comprehensive and up-to-date survey of the relationship between work and society in Japan argue that individual decisions about work can only be understood through the broader social context. Many factors combine to affect such choices including the structuring of labour markets, social policy and, of course, global influences which have come increasingly to impinge on the organisation of work and life generally. By considering labour markets, social policy and relationships between labour and management, the book offers penetrating insights into contemporary Japanese society and glimpses of what might come in the future. Underlying the discussion is a challenge to the celebration of Japanese management practices which has dominated the literature for the last three decades. This is an important book for students of sociology and economics.

List of figures
List of tables
Preface
Note on transliteration, romanization and translation
List of abbreviations
Part I. A Context for Studying Work: 1. The Japanese at work
2. Toward a sociology of work in postwar Japan
3. Competing models for understanding work in Japan
Part II. The Commitment to Being at Work: 4. Hours of work, labor-force participation and the work ethic
Part III. Processing Labor Through Japan's Labor Markets: 5. Change and challenge in the labor market
6. Segmentation of the labor market
Part IV. The Broader Social Policy Context for Understanding Choice at Work in Japan: 7. From labor policy to social policy: a framework for understanding labor process in Japan at the national level 8. Social security and safety nets
Part V. The Power Relations Shaping the Organization of Work in Japan: 9. The state of the union movement in Japan
10. Management organizations and the interests of employers
Part VI. The Future: 11. The future of work in Japan
References
Author index
General index.

Subject Areas: Economics [KC], Sociology & anthropology [JH], Regional studies [GTB]