Female Labor in the Postwar Japanese Economy

Female labor has played a major role in the
post-Second World War Japanese economy--an issue that
has not received academic attention relative to its
importance. Moreover, studies that specifically
address geographic aspects of the gender division of
labor are largely absent for Japan, surprising in
light of significant regional variations in women''s
employment experiences as revealed in North
American-based studies. The goal of this research is
thus to investigate how the trajectory of social and
economic changes in postwar Japan have impacted the
form and extent of female labor force participation,
with particular focus on how these changes have
manifested themselves geographically. Findings are
interpreted in the context of broad changes in the
economy and existing literature on the Japanese
female labor force. This analysis should be useful
to those interested in women and work in
cross-national contexts.

Autorentext
Dr. Shelton holds a Ph.D. in Geography from The Ohio
State University in Columbus. His background includes
living in Japan for several years. Currently, he is Assistant
Director of Academic Advising in the Colleges of the Arts and
Sciences at Ohio State.

Klappentext
Female labor has played a major role in the post-Second World War Japanese economy--an issue that has not received academic attention relative to its importance. Moreover, studies that specifically address geographic aspects of the gender division of labor are largely absent for Japan, surprising in light of significant regional variations in women's employment experiences as revealed in North American-based studies. The goal of this research is thus to investigate how the trajectory of social and economic changes in postwar Japan have impacted the form and extent of female labor force participation, with particular focus on how these changes have manifested themselves geographically. Findings are interpreted in the context of broad changes in the economy and existing literature on the Japanese female labor force. This analysis should be useful to those interested in women and work in cross-national contexts.