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Community Unions in Japan: Similarities and Differences of Region-based Labour Movements between Japan and Other Industrialized Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Akira Suzuki

    (Ohara Institute for Social Research, Hosei University)

Abstract

This article examines organizational characteristics of Japanese community unions and analyses similarities and differences in the organizational forms and activities of community unionism between Japan and other industrialized countries. The article first outlines the conceptual framework of community unionism based on the literature review of studies on cases in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK, and then examines to what extent the framework is applicable to the Japanese case. Although there are some common features, one of the important differences of community unionism between Japan and other industrialized countries is the weakness of coalition-building between community unions and community-based organizations in Japan compared to other countries. The article argues that the forms of community unionism are mediated by civil societal and institutional contexts of labour movements, and that the relative underdevelopment of civil society and industrial relations institutions (liberal union recognition procedures) in Japan explains the difference in the forms.

Suggested Citation

  • Akira Suzuki, 2008. "Community Unions in Japan: Similarities and Differences of Region-based Labour Movements between Japan and Other Industrialized Countries," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 29(4), pages 492-520, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:29:y:2008:i:4:p:492-520
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X08096230
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Janice Fine, 2007. "A Marriage Made in Heaven? Mismatches and Misunderstandings between Worker Centres and Unions," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 45(2), pages 335-360, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Arjan B Keizer, 2019. "Inclusion of ‘Outsiders’ by Japanese Unions? The Organizing of Non-Regular Workers in Retail," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 33(2), pages 226-243, April.
    2. Hiroaki Richard Watanabe, 2021. "The political agency and social movements of Japanese individually-affiliated unions," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 42(3), pages 531-551, August.
    3. Shinji Kojima, 2020. "Social movement unionism in contemporary Japan: Coalitions within and across political boundaries," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 41(1), pages 189-211, February.
    4. Katarzyna Gajewska, 2013. "Varieties of regional economic integration and labor internationalism: The case of Japanese trade unions in comparison," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 34(2), pages 247-268, May.

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