The Transformation of the Japanese Employment System: Nature, Depth, and Origins
Author(s)
Lincoln, James R.; Nakata, Yoshifumi
Abstract
In the 1980s, as in earlier years, the rapid economic growth of Japan was often attributed in part to the nation’s unique employment system. However, in the 1990s the Japanese economy entered a period of stagnation, which has started to undermine past employment practices. This article describes the changes in the Japanese employment system that have resulted from the economic slowdown and intensified competitive pressures of the 1990s. The article is based on interviews with corporate and union leaders, and on a review of reporting in the Japanese business press.
