Family companies have played an important role in Japan for decades, but listed family companies only recently gained scientific interest. This research, focuses on the occurrence of agency...Show moreFamily companies have played an important role in Japan for decades, but listed family companies only recently gained scientific interest. This research, focuses on the occurrence of agency conflicts in listed family companies. Upon acknowledging different types of agency conflicts, it becomes easier to gain insight in the agency costs in listed family firms.Show less
Japan has been dealing with a decreasing fertility rate for decades. This has had a direct effect on Japan’s labor force, as they now face shortages. Another reason for the lack of labor force...Show moreJapan has been dealing with a decreasing fertility rate for decades. This has had a direct effect on Japan’s labor force, as they now face shortages. Another reason for the lack of labor force participation is due to the low female labor force participation in the Japanese labor market. The Japanese government has been actively implementing policies to attract more female labor force by either eradicating workspace sexism or by investing more into childcare. Some of these major policies are the Equal Employment Opportunity Law (EEOL), Child Care Leave Act and Child Care and Family Leave Law, Angel Plan and New Angel Plan. While some policies have helped alleviate some of the burdens Japanese women carry, the female workforce participation is still low, as is the fertility rate. Furthermore, although the Japanese government actively seeks to resolve these issues, the motive behind it is ambiguous, as the issue of gender equality and sexism are often used as false incentives, especially during elections. The male-dominated corporate culture present in Japan also further fuels this. Thus, solutions become harder to reach while the issues still remain prevalent.Show less
This thesis attempts to find out how and why women have not been able to reach the higher managerial positions in contemporary Japan. This thesis analyses three different layers. First is the...Show moreThis thesis attempts to find out how and why women have not been able to reach the higher managerial positions in contemporary Japan. This thesis analyses three different layers. First is the system of the career track and the clerical track which are called Ippanshoku and sōgōshoku. The second point is that Japanese working women also need more role models. They are very elementary, as these role models can not only be a mentor but also provide the right example for women to reach the top. Lastly, it analyses the system of ‘amakudari’. This system enables government officials to drop into higher managerial positions in the larger Japanese corporations when they retire from their ministerial work. This thesis finds that Japanese companies have the key role in ameliorating the situation of the few female managers within the Japanese corporations as they are keeping the current systems in place.Show less
