Handbook of Japanese Labor Practices

Changing Perceptions

Robin Sakamoto

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2026
• Print ISBN:
  9781041278771
• eBook ISBN:
  9781040948309
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Philosophy

This volume examines the three pillars of Japanese management—lifetime employment, seniority-based wages and promotions, and enterprise unions—from the viewpoint of both Japanese and non-Japanese scholars. Multiple chapters revolve around the themes of labor practices found in Japan including unveiling the concept of internal sensitivity through gemba walks. The diversification of the Japanese salaryman stereotype is addressed by authors focusing on the issues faced by women, non-Japanese employees, and migrant workers in the Japanese labor market. Additional authors examine the challenges of globalization facing Japan in the 21st century including the need to understand work and social organization in Japan as an input-driven society. Five personal reflections interspersed throughout the book encourage the reader to put theory into practice and determine if and how perceptions are changing in regards to Japanese labor practices.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half Title Page
• Series Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Contributors
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 Beyond the Enigma of “Lifetime Employment”: Clarifying Japan's Working Rules of Employment Relations and Exploring their Comparative Implications
• Chapter 2 A Critical Look at Lifetime Employment in Japan
• Chapter 3 The Landscape of the Japanese Labor Market
• Reflections: Creating a Society Where People Embrace Their Dreams and Actualize Greater Well-Being
• Chapter 4 Labor Unions in Japan
• Chapter 5 Young People's Precarious Transitions in Japan
• Reflections: Embracing the Unconventional: How a Clueless Student in Iwate Finds Strength in Enforced Optimism
• Chapter 6 Gender Gaps in Japan and Why They Exist at the Workplace
• Reflections: Choose the One You Love
• Chapter 7 From Genba Walks to Organizational Insights: Unveiling the Concept of Internal Sensitivity
• Chapter 8 Migrant Workers and the Future of Japan: Why the Technical Intern Training Program Didn't Work
• Chapter 9 Global Talent in an Aspiring “Country of Choice”: Skilled Migration into Japan
• Reflections: Finding a Place Elsewhere
• Chapter 10 Agents of Globalization? Foreign Employee Roles in Japanese Corporations
• Chapter 11 The Input-Driven Society: Understanding Work and Social Organization in Japan
• Chapter 12 Strength as a Source of Weakness: Why Japan Struggles to Meet the Digital Challenge
• Chapter 13 Diversity Issues in Japan: Education of Future Workers and Leaders
• Reflections: Japanese Style: Working in Both Japanese and American Organizations
• Chapter 14 Making Friends with Godzilla
• Appendix 1: ChatGPT 2023 AI Explanation of Japan's “Lifetime Employment”
• Appendix 2: Japanese Labor Laws
• Index