This thesis explores the influence of certain nationalities on the working conditions trainees of that nationality receive in the Japanese labour market. This research found that countries with a...Show moreThis thesis explores the influence of certain nationalities on the working conditions trainees of that nationality receive in the Japanese labour market. This research found that countries with a higer GDP per capita tend to have better working conditions on the Japanese labour market but that the size of a population of a nationality does not seem to have an influence in either way. The relation between GDP per capita and working conditions might can be explained through the image of perceived wealth.Show less
This thesis explores the Neoliberal policies by the Abe government regarding the attraction of foreign labor. The effects are analyzed on both the attraction of high-skilled as well as low-skilled...Show moreThis thesis explores the Neoliberal policies by the Abe government regarding the attraction of foreign labor. The effects are analyzed on both the attraction of high-skilled as well as low-skilled labor in supplementing the domestic workforce. Furthermore, it investigates the contrast to past policies and the effects in implementing foreign workers into the Japanese labor market.Show less
This thesis analyses the spread of so-called "partnership systems" among Japanese local governments. Its main aim is to prove that this spread can be attributed to the workings of policy diffusion....Show moreThis thesis analyses the spread of so-called "partnership systems" among Japanese local governments. Its main aim is to prove that this spread can be attributed to the workings of policy diffusion. Through a qualitative analysis of primary sources, such as municipal assembly minutes, the thesis establishes that the spread of this policy is indeed largely the result of an interdependence between local governments' policy choices. It explains this interdependence through a combination of the analytical frameworks of rational choice institutionalism and normative institutionalism. Both competition for status as well as the ability to learn from preceding governments' policies are found to have played a role. While the thesis does not find compelling evidence for the supposed role of regional proximity, its findings do suggest that core cities are more likely to be influenced by other core cities, and that designated cities are more likely to be influenced by other designated cities.Show less
This dissertation tries to provide a clear, complete image on the reasoning behind labor market deregulation in Japan, looking beyond often given reasons such as increased competition and the...Show moreThis dissertation tries to provide a clear, complete image on the reasoning behind labor market deregulation in Japan, looking beyond often given reasons such as increased competition and the weakened position of labor unions.Show less
This thesis aims to explain why the cash reserves of Japanese firms have almost tripled in the years between 2013 and 2019, during a time where neoliberal policy reform should have encouraged...Show moreThis thesis aims to explain why the cash reserves of Japanese firms have almost tripled in the years between 2013 and 2019, during a time where neoliberal policy reform should have encouraged spending excess cash on extra investing. By combining a study of already existing literature on how these policy changes should have affected firms and a case study on how Japanese firms have actually reacted to the reforms, it becomes clear that they did not have the expected results. Investments are down and cash reserves keep going up. With the use of the theory of path dependency, this phenomenon can be explained. Traditional Japanese firms have a tendency to be more conservative and tend to be focussed on long term growth. While the business environment has significantly changed, the structure and institutions of the firms have stayed the same. Easier access to financial capital and lower interest rates have increased profits, but they have not changed the firm’s investment strategies. Instead the new earned profits have been assigned to the cash reserves for later use.Show less
The thesis analyzes US-Japan-China relations, and tries to seek the driving factors behind the relational dynamics. It contrasts constructivist IR theory with (structural) realist IR theory to...Show moreThe thesis analyzes US-Japan-China relations, and tries to seek the driving factors behind the relational dynamics. It contrasts constructivist IR theory with (structural) realist IR theory to explain these dynamics. It concludes the contrast gives a much more nuanced perspective on power dynamics and threat perception within trilateral and bilateral relations of said countries since Trump's inauguration.Show less
The thesis analyses the process of Japanese trade liberalisation by examining a shift (on the surface) in the Japanese government’s attitude towards trade policies, and tries to explain why the Abe...Show moreThe thesis analyses the process of Japanese trade liberalisation by examining a shift (on the surface) in the Japanese government’s attitude towards trade policies, and tries to explain why the Abe government’s stance changed.Show less
This thesis focuses on the relation between Prime Minister Abe’s nationalist policy and how this has an influence on the rapidly declining press freedom in Japan, seeking a more comprehensive view...Show moreThis thesis focuses on the relation between Prime Minister Abe’s nationalist policy and how this has an influence on the rapidly declining press freedom in Japan, seeking a more comprehensive view of the role prime minister Abe plays in declining press freedom and the relation between declining press freedom and the Japanese broadcasting system. This thesis poses the following research question: To what degree does prime minister Abe’s use of a nationalistic policy agenda influence the rapid decline of press freedom in Japan since 2012, and how does this relate to the Japanese broadcasting system? As opposed to the general academic consensus which puts the blame of declining press freedom almost solely with Prime Minister Abe and his nationalistic tendencies this thesis argues and shows by using gatekeeping theory and identifying the Japanese government as gatekeeper and the Japanese media industry as being gated, that while prime minister Abe is a factor, the underlying problem that allows the decline in press freedom are the several ingrained weaknesses in the Japanese broadcasting system that make it so that officials in power and the government can abuse this to in effect maintain a stronghold over the media regardless of ideology or political position. Such weaknesses include the broadcasting law, ownership of broadcast licensing and the use and abuse of Kisha clubs.Show less
近年空家の数が増加しており、空家の存在が周辺地域に悪影響を及ぼしている事が問題となっている。例えば、放棄された空家の存在は、崩壊や犯罪の誘発など、周囲に悪影響を及ばす恐れがある。少子高齢化に伴い、空家の数は急増しており、2013年現在、全国の層住宅数に占める空家の割合は13.5%と過去最高を記録した。このままでは2033年の空家率は30%に上昇すると予想されている。空家の増加は...Show more近年空家の数が増加しており、空家の存在が周辺地域に悪影響を及ぼしている事が問題となっている。例えば、放棄された空家の存在は、崩壊や犯罪の誘発など、周囲に悪影響を及ばす恐れがある。少子高齢化に伴い、空家の数は急増しており、2013年現在、全国の層住宅数に占める空家の割合は13.5%と過去最高を記録した。このままでは2033年の空家率は30%に上昇すると予想されている。空家の増加は、メディアでも次第に取り上げられつつある。少子高齢化と人口減少により、空き家が増加しているという新聞記事をよく見かける。空家研究には実態把握だけでなく、根本的な原因の理解、より具体的な議論も必要である。特に、英語で書かれている出版物やメディアで述べられている空家の要因は、少子高齢化や人口減少のみに限定されている場合が多く、包括的な空家の増加の理解には達していない。 住宅の意味や日本的な住宅の歴史、そして法律も空き家の増加に影響している。それゆえ、この論文では、原因は人口の減少だけではないことを、学術文献および政府文書の議論を通して調査し、説明する。 研究は、主に学術文献および行政文書の分析を通して行う。Show less
Japan is a rapidly aging society. In order to respond to these pressing matters the Japanese government cooperates with businesses and the bureaucracy; known as the iron triangle. Japan has a long...Show moreJapan is a rapidly aging society. In order to respond to these pressing matters the Japanese government cooperates with businesses and the bureaucracy; known as the iron triangle. Japan has a long tradition of pork barrel politics and iron triangle cooperation. However, the electoral reforms of 1994 aimed to reduce the power of the iron triangle. Since all actors have high stakes in the success of solutions for aging, it provides the perfect oppertunity to study the continued cooperation of the iron triangle. Through the case studies of innovation in healthcare technology and rural rejuvenation this thesis will show that the iron triangle is still firmly in place.Show less
This thesis will explore the explanations for why the current Japanese government does not abolish or radically adjust its nuclear energy policy in light of the 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima....Show moreThis thesis will explore the explanations for why the current Japanese government does not abolish or radically adjust its nuclear energy policy in light of the 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima. In doing so, it will touch upon the historical development of socio-economic institutions of the Japanese nuclear energy industry (e.g. amakudari, pork-barrel politics, shingikai). This thesis will adopt the Varieties of Capitalism approach to explain the slow or reluctant change of these institutions despite initiatives to change the institutions after 2011. It identifies that this reluctant change allows for continued strong influence of the nuclear village, or pro-nuclear lobby, on Japan’s energy policies. This thesis concludes that it is this continued influence that prevents the current Japanese government from radically changing or abolishing its nuclear energy policies.Show less
The Japanese labour market has changed significantly in the last few decades. In this thesis, I will look at these changes, the causes and the consequences.
This thesis will explore the explanations for why the current Japanese government does not abolish or radically adjust its regulations regarding regular and non-regular workers. In doing so, it...Show moreThis thesis will explore the explanations for why the current Japanese government does not abolish or radically adjust its regulations regarding regular and non-regular workers. In doing so, it will touch upon the historical development of labour policy-making (e.g. shift to shingikai). It will use a Marxism framework to prove that under the current policies, non-regular workers are being exploited. This is done by examining two policies proposed by the Abe administration, namely the Zero Overtime Bill, and the amendment of the Worker Dispatch Law. It will subsequently prove that this is not a trend that has started recently, but a trend that has started in the 80’s.Show less
This thesis aims to answer the question of why migration of foreign healthcare workers under the JIEPA and JPEPA framework has been so low. In order to do this several possible answers to the...Show moreThis thesis aims to answer the question of why migration of foreign healthcare workers under the JIEPA and JPEPA framework has been so low. In order to do this several possible answers to the question are given.Show less
The Kyushu area of Japan has been engaged in intensive trade with South Korea and China since the collapse of the bubble economy. The consensus is that economic integration is progressing, but data...Show moreThe Kyushu area of Japan has been engaged in intensive trade with South Korea and China since the collapse of the bubble economy. The consensus is that economic integration is progressing, but data on trade, political tensions and business conditions in the region show that this is not quite the case. Obstacles are in such an abundance, that economic integration will not be obtained within the near future.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
With the revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act in the 1990s the Japanese Government introduced new policies for the acceptance of foreign labour into society. Whereas...Show moreWith the revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act in the 1990s the Japanese Government introduced new policies for the acceptance of foreign labour into society. Whereas formal policies for admitting skilled foreign workers were introduced, a formal policy for admitting unskilled foreign workers has been lacking up until this date. Instead, the respective workers came to enter Japan through certain backdoor policies and have been doing so ever since. This thesis will provide insight into the reason why this is by explaining the impact that conservative political elites have upon immigration policymaking. It will reveal that their presence forms an obstacle in formalizing any such policy to admit unskilled foreign workers, whereas continuing to admit them through backdoor channels only enhances vulnerability to exploitation.Show less
