The Japanese working class

Abstract

The Japanese working class has the reputation, largely in the Western bourgeois press, of being notoriously hardworking, loyal to its employers, and lacking in class consciousness. Western managers envy their Japanese counterparts for the “harmony and cooperation” that is supposed to characterize industrial relations in Japan, but few of them have any idea why this supposed harmony exists. Even the Japanese bourgeoisie tends to attribute it to cultural values which are unique to Japan and which cannot be exported.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rob Steven

This is the second segment of Rob Steven's lengthy study of Japanese capitalism which we have published in the Bulletin. “The Japanese Bourgeoisie” appeared in Volume II, No. 2 (1979), available for $3.50. We will give a bulk rate to those who wish to use either article (or both) in classroom assignments.