While a large number of studies exist on political-economic institutional explanations for the prevalence of precarious work, few have delved into the elusive yet critical domain of culture. This is highly pertinent to China and Japan whose shared tradition of Confucianism (broadly defined) continues to inform many aspects of society. In particular, core values such as hierarchy, harmony, and the subordination of individual interests to collective requirements impinge importantly on the iniquitous patterns of precarious work and its surrounding institutions ranging from state policy and legislation to industrial relations and social welfare. The pervasiveness and entrenched nature of culture has been especially evidenced by Japan's distinctly gendered and China's rural-urban citizenship-based labour market stratifications. By bridging culture and institutions, Temporary and Gig Economy Workers in China and Japan brings a more integrated and nuanced understanding of unequal work, casting fresh light on social change in China, Japan, and beyond. Emphasis is placed not only on macro-level structural scrutiny but also on micro-agency empiricism, i.e. real people's experiences in everyday life. This holistic and comparative approach, as demonstrated by the book, will go a long way towards tackling the negative consequences of precarious work in a wider post-pandemic world.

While a large number of studies exist on political-economic institutional explanations for the prevalence of precarious work, few have delved into the elusive yet critical domain of culture. This is highly pertinent to China and Japan whose shared tradition of Confucianism (broadly defined) continues to inform many aspects of society. In particular, core values such as hierarchy, harmony, and the subordination of individual interests to collective requirements impinge importantly on the iniquitous patterns of precarious work and its surrounding institutions ranging from state policy and legislation to industrial relations and social welfare. The pervasiveness and entrenched nature of culture has been especially evidenced by Japan's distinctly gendered and China's rural-urban citizenship-based labour market stratifications. By bridging culture and institutions, Temporary and Gig Economy Workers in China and Japan brings a more integrated and nuanced understanding of unequal work, casting fresh light on social change in China, Japan, and beyond. Emphasis is placed not only on macro-level structural scrutiny but also on micro-agency empiricism, i.e. real people's experiences in everyday life. This holistic and comparative approach, as demonstrated by the book, will go a long way towards tackling the negative consequences of precarious work in a wider post-pandemic world.

This book explores civil societies with distinct characteristics in Asian countries and regions to redefine the dynamic and interconnected formation that is Asia. This book documents how civil society organizations, such as charities and foundations, across Asia which have traditionally been observed to imitate or borrow the methods employed by Western nongovernmental organizations, have been developing distinctive relations with the state, inventing novel civic techniques. Furthermore, it highlights how such organizations have created a characteristic framework for governance and spaces for new social practices and reflections. Reflecting on the historical backgrounds, political systems, and cultural settings, each case study reveals the diverse and alternative approaches and solutions to various issues facing contemporary Asian society. Studying the dynamism of Asia to highlight the emergence of new civil society practices this book will be a great interest to scholars and students of Asian Studies, Anthropology, Sociology & Political Science.

This dissertation, "Temporary Work in Japan and Hong Kong: the Situation of Female Workers" by Kam-fong, Winky, Wong, 黃錦芳, was obtained from The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) and is being sold pursuant to Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation. All rights not granted by the above license are retained by the author. Abstract: Abstract of thesis entitled Temporary Work in Japan and Hong Kong: The Situation of Female Workers submitted by Wong Kam Fong, Winky for the degree of Master of Philosophy at The University of Hong Kong in June 2004 There has been an increasing number of single women in Japan and Hong Kong who take up temporary work. This study is based on the review of available literature, questionnaires and face-to-face interviews with single temporary working women in both places. I examine their employment situation, lifestyles, and how temporary work helps or hinders them to meet their personal aspirations. In the discussion of women in temporary work, I find that most of the previous research has focused on married women rather than on single women. My research indicates that most Japanese single women are definite about their marriage plans and are willing to marry a non-Japanese man. Approximately one third of them choose to live alone to experience independence. They do not contribute financially to their parents, and thus, have more disposable income. In contrast, Hong Kong single temporary working women are generally not sure of their marriage plans, yet are reluctant to consider partners outside their own nationality. They typically live with their parents and contribute to the family finances by paying a proportion of their income to their parents. Even after marriage and childbirth, they plan to continue their i work and career. Although many scholars have portrayed temporary workers as being a disadvantaged group, the women in my sample group in Japan do not necessarily regard themselves as disadvantaged. Many of them have a distinct preference for temporary work. They seem to use temporary work as a tool to gain money and flexible time to support their lifestyle. Whereas, the majority of the single temporary working women in my Hong Kong sample group regard themselves as disadvantaged to a certain extent. They do not seek temporary work willingly. However, in many cases only temporary work may be available to them in the current poor economic climate. The study concludes that Hong Kong single temporary working women tend to have similar life goals to their male counterparts and therefore employ a strategy to achieve their goals that includes seeking career-related professional education and a permanent job. On the other hand, Japanese single temporary working women do not have similar life goals to their male counterparts. Their life focus is on the pursuit of activities of their choice, free time, and acquiring personal education that is not necessarily job related. In other words, single Japanese temporary working women focus more on their present lifestyle, whereas Hong Kong temporary working women focus more on their future career. (Words: 407) ii DOI: 10.5353/th_b2929318 Subjects: Temporary employment - Japan Temporary employment - China - Hong Kong Temporary employees - Japan - Attitudes Temporary employees - China - Hong Kong - Attitudes Women - Employment - Japan Women - Employment - China - Hong Kong

The "gig economy" is a relatively recent term coined to describe a range of working arrangements that have previously been denoted as precarious, flexible and contingent. Borrowed from musicians, a "gig" describes a one-night performance, but in the context of general employment, it covers the self-employed who work for hire, those on temporary, short-term contracts and on zero-hours contracts. In this concise overview, Alex de Ruyter and Martyn Brown explain the key facets of the gig economy and explore the dangers and potential it affords. Drawing on recent case-studies from the UK, Europe and the USA, it offers an authoritative guide through the theories and issues that surround the gig economy. --

Japan and the United States are under global and domestic pressures to simultaneously expand and to restrict immigration. In both countries migration, refugee and citizenship policies have become highly contentious political issues. Myron Weiner and Tadashi Hanami have brought together a distinguished group of American and Japanese experts to examine the very different approaches of these two societies in dealing with employer demand for labour, control over illegal migration, the challenge of incorporating immigrants, the legal rights and social benefits of foreign residents and illegal migrants, and the claims of refugees and asylum seekers.

Oka explores the motivation that drives economic immigrants - from Latin America, the Middle East, and all parts of Asia - to Japan. His anecdotes demonstrate the unique problems that each ethnic group has faced and the public debate that increasing social diversity demands.