Working the shopping mall: Labour shortages and the dualities in Japan’s labour economy

The Japanese labour market has for long been sharply divided along the lines of gender and contractual status, with these attributes largely determining employment conditions. Yet, Japan’s demographic situation has led to labour shortages, and it needs to be asked whether companies can sustain current employment practices. This article seeks answers to this question by looking at the employment situation in retailing, specifically in shopping centres, places that are demanding in terms of working hours and employ high numbers of female and non-regular employees. The emergence of labour shortages led to a lively discourse among the members of the Japan Council of Shopping Centers, the industry’s association, and this discourse has been featured in the industry journal SC Japan Today. Analysing this discourse, the article argues that companies have built their business models on the assumption of a ready labour supply, and they are now becoming more flexible in employment practices. Yet, companies avoid a discussion of remuneration levels and are also looking at other solutions such as the reorganization of work processes or automation, and especially the employment of foreign employees. An increase in foreign employees may lead to new dualities based on nationality in the future.