pp. 63-95

Socioeconomic analysis of youth employment in Japan sheds light on the factors that might explain the level of labour force participation among young people and the conditions under which such participation takes place. In particular, it highlights the linkage between employers’ labour force flexibilisation strategies and the family dependence mechanisms in which young people have their part to play. In our view, the increasing difficulties being experienced by young Japanese people in the labour market can be explained by the way in which youth employment is socially constructed rather than by any hypothetical change in the work ethic.