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 womens 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.