Abstract
This chapter examines new types and patterns of labor disputation between employers and employees in contemporary Japan. From a macroperspective, these new patterns reflect changes in industrial structure and the bargaining processes between labor and employer, which in turn is strongly associated with changes brought about due to globalization. These changes have greatly affected the type of labor employed, including temporary contract or contingent workers. These issues can also be analyzed from a micro perspective, with a focus on the individual worker, including how labor disputation relates to the persons’ living conditions and their employment careers. The author attempts to identify the major factors behind labor disputes in the current circumstances and the kinds of resolutions that have been struck between employers and employees. The particular focus is on issues that arise from what are called “individual labor-related disputes” (ILRDs). These grew in number in the context of Japan’s extended recession and the bursting of the “economic bubble” in the early 1990s.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs, Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Rodosodan oyobi assen no gaiyo (The Outline of Labor Consultation and Mediation). Tokyo Metropolitan Government, 2014.
Central Labour Relations Commission. Kaku kikan ni okeru kobetsu roushifunsou syoriseido no unyou jokyo (The Operations of Individual Labour Related Disputes in Related Organizations), Tokyo, 2014.
Freeman, Richard B. & James L. Medoff. What Do Unions Do? New York: Basic Books, 1984.
Hisamoto, Norio. “Kobetsu roushifunsou ni okeru rodokumiai no yakuwari (Trade Unions’ Role in Complaints and Individual Labor Disputes).” Nohon rodo kenkyu zasshi (The Japanese Journal of Labour Studies), 53, no. 8 (2011): 16–28.
Inagami, Takeshi et al. Neo koporathizumuno kokusai hikaku (The International Comparison of the Neo Corporatism). The Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training, Tokyo, 2004.
The Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training (JILPT). Chusho kigyo ni okeru roshi komyunikeshon to rodojoken kettei (Labor-Management Communications and Decision of the Working Conditions). The Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training, Tokyo, 2007.
The Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training (JILPT). Kigyogai ni okeru kobetsu roshi funso no yobo/kaiketu sisutemu no unyo no jittai no tokucho (A Research on the Features and Conditions of the Applicants for Prevention and Resolution System on the Individual Labor Related Disputes Outside the Corporations). The Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training, Tokyo, 2008.
The Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training (JILPT). Kigyogai ni okeru kobetsu roshi funso no yobo/kaiketu sisutemu riyosha no jittai chosa (A Research on the Activities of the Applicants for Prevention and Resolution System on the Individual Labor Related Disputes Outside the Corporations). The Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training, Tokyo, 2009.
The Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training (JILPT). Kobetu rodokankei funso shori jian no naiyo bunseki: Koyo shuryo, ijime harasument, rodojoken no hikisageoyobi sansha kan romu teikyo kankei (Content Analysis on the Cases of Individual Labor Related Disputes; the Terminations of Employment, Bullying and Harassment, Deterioration of Working Condition and Labor Provision to the Third Parties). The Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training, Tokyo, 2010.
Kashimura, Shiro. “Rodo funso to houteki taishokodo: Nihon ni okeru kobetu rodo funso wo shoten to shite (Labor Disputes and Legal Advice Seeking: The Case of ‘Individual’ Labor Disputes in Contemporary Japan).” Nohon rodo kenkyu zasshi (The Japanese Journal of Labour Studies), 50, no. 12 (2008): 13–25.
Kume, Ikuo. Nihongata roushikankei no seiko (Labor Politics in Postwar Japan). Yuhi-kaku, Tokyo, 1998.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Basic Survey on Labour Unions 2013. 2015.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Heisei 25nendo kobeturodofunsokaiketuseido (A Report on the Institutional Condition of Individual Labour Related Disputes 2013), Tokyo, 2014.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Labour Force Survey. (2011, 2013, 2015)
Murata, Takayuki. “Ehimme ken ni okeru kobetsu roshi funso shori no genjo (Individual Labor Disputes Resolution System in Ehime Prefecture).” Matsuyama daigaku ronshu (Matsuyama University Review), 18, no. 4 (2006): 201–232.
Nakakubo, Yuya. “Roushifunsou no genjyo to seisakukadai: Houritsugaku no tachiba kara (Current Conditions and Policy Issues of Labor and Employment Disputes in Japan: From a Legal Perspective).” Nohon rodo kenkyu zasshi (The Japanese Journal of Labour Studies), 55, no. 631 (2013): 19–26.
Nihon Keizai Shinbun. “Kobetu roushi funso de shinpo yokyu (A Request for the New Law on the Individual Labor Related Disputes).” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, November 29, 1999.
Nihon Keizai Shinbun. “Kotorii no taiseikyoka-kiseikaikaku suishin sankanen keikaku no yoshi (Strengthening the Fair Trade Commission: Summary of 3 Years Plan for Deregulation).” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, March 28, 2003.
Nose, Masaharu. “Wagakuni no kobetsu rodo funso chousei sisutemu no kadai—Igirisu tono hikaku wo chuusinnni (The Issue of Individual Labour Dispute Resolution Systems in Japan: Comparisons with the UK).” Nohon rodo kenkyu zasshi (The Japanese Journal of Labour Studies), 53, no. 8 (2011): 49–63.
Sato, Hiroki. “Misoshiki kigyo ni okeru rosikankei (Industrial Relations in Non-Union Enterprises).” Nohon rodo kenkyu zasshi (The Japanese Journal of Labour Studies), 36, no. 10 (1994): 24–35.
Takahashi, Koji. “Kobetsu roushifunsou e no taiou (Response to the Individual Labor Related Disputes).” Yoku wakaru sangyousyakaigaku (Introduction to the Industrial Sociology). Mineruva shobo, Kyoto, 2012.
The Twenty First Century Public Policy Institute. Kobetu roudofunsou kaiketsu seido no tayoka to kongo no kadai (Diversification of Individual Labor Related Dispute and Future Challenge), Tokyo, 2006, http://www.21ppi.org/pdf/thesis/060417.pdf
Editor information
Copyright information
© 2016 Nobuko Hosogaya
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hosogaya, N. (2016). Individual Labor-Related Dispute Mechanisms in Japan—Policy Intention and Individual Worker Aspirations. In: Healy, E., Arunachalam, D., Mizukami, T. (eds) Creating Social Cohesion in an Interdependent World. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137520227_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137520227_13
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, New York
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-70500-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-52022-7
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)