New Economic Challenge to Japan's Trade Union Movement

In: Working USA: the journal of labor & society, Volume 4, Issue 4, p. 59-83

Abstract

Precipitated by forces of globalization, a new economy is creating unprecedented challenges for working people everywhere. Japan's touted system of "lifelong" employment is eroding as growing numbers of contingent jobs are produced. Given the preponderance of key growth industries in Japan and the nation's increasing influence in Asia, the opportunity and necessity have never been greater for Japan's labor movement to exercise its considerable influence to the benefit of trade union rights and to organize these new workers.