Japanese Women Working

A multidisciplinary examination of women's labor experiences in Japan, Japanese Women Working reveals the complexities of their roles and challenges over the past century.

An international group of historians, economists, anthropologists, and management specialists examines the policies affecting women workers and their experiences throughout the past century in Japan. Japanese Women Working offers a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted lives of working women in Japan, addressing the various state policies and management practices that have shaped their roles in the workforce. The contributors provide valuable insights into the experiences of diverse groups of workers, including domestic servants, hospital care assistants, textile workers, miners, homeworkers, and 'professional' housewives.

The book sheds light on the numerous challenges and decisions that working women in Japan have faced, challenging the dominant stereotypes that often misrepresent their realities. Through a collection of essays, Japanese Women Working spans a period of rapid economic transformation, presenting Japan as an industrializing nation. It emphasizes the significance of the broader economic context and cultural factors in determining women's positions within the labor market.

By bringing together experts from Europe, Japan, and the United States, this work highlights the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach to studying women in the workforce. It serves as a vital addition to the existing English-language literature on Japanese women, making it easier for non-specialists to gain insights into a critical aspect of Japanese social and economic development.