Routledge Women, Work and the Japanese Economic Miracle: The case of the cotton textile industry, 1945-1975 (Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Asia)

This book shows how, during the period of the Japanese economic miracle, a distinctive female employment system was developed alongside, and different from, the better known Japanese employment system which was applied to male employees. Women, Work and the Japanese Economic Miracle describes and analyses the place of female workers in the cotton textile industry, which was a crucially important industry with a large workforce. In presenting detailed data on such key issues as recruitment systems, management practices and the working experience of the women involved, it demonstrates the importance for Japan's postwar economy of harnessing female labour during these years. Review 'In placing the current situation of women in employment in its historical context, this book will be valuable to academics, students, to some extent general readers and, dare it be suggested, to Japanese companies and policy makers alike.' - Asian Affairs 'This volume... is a fascinating account of this well-known period in Japan's history. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the evolution of women and work, women's employment conditions, managerial strategies and the role of unions and the shap and form these take in a feminized industry' - International Review of Social History 'In placing the current situation of women in employment in its historical context, this book will be valuable to academics, students, to some extent general readers and, dare it be suggested, to Japanese companies and policy makers alike.' - Asian Affairs About the Author Helen Macnaughtan is Handa Fellow in Japanese Business and Management at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London. Her areas of research interest include employment, labour management, gender and economic development in Japan.