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Precis: " The Japanese Paradox" (2008) by Yuko Ogasawara

In the article of Ogasawara, “The Japanese Paradox” (2008), she explains the very irony of most case studies involving career women in Japan and their attitude and definition towards employment, which may stem from a prescribed social order of the “Good Wives, Wise Mother” paradigm, and that there is “power” by “not having the power” in the workforce. To her argument, she conveys that there exists a blatant discrepancy between workers of the opposite sex with regard to their wage, their career path and their significance in the company. However, she also explores the idea that to compensate for the lack of authority that women have in the workplace, they are regarded important in the social aspect such as being the “mother” for the new employees, as well as the critic of the current employees. Their social input can be determinant of another’s success, and their social status within the company may allow them more freedom than men, as they would have less worries on repercussions. This social power is also seen in the way households are kept in order by the wife, to whom the office worker husband must depend on. Ultimately, Ogasawara cited that for a refined research, one must also consider the basis of the framework that the inequalities are pointed-out at, as well as to conduct equal emphasis on both gender in order to provide a clearer and comprehensive study. This article was written with intent to explain the demographics and qualitative case studies of women in Japan, pertaining to their form of employment, thus, it may be useful for gender, economic and social studies, particular with regard to the Japanese society.

(November 11, 2015)

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