Employers' associations in Japan: fragmented conservatism

This chapter explores the development, activities and functions of Japanese employers' associations during the post-war period. It provides a broad overview of the national context in Japan, including industry structure, labour markets, industrial relations and human resource management systems. The chapter focuses on associations involved in industrial relations and human resource management issues, although associations only involved in trade and commercial matters will also be considered, as they may indirectly deal with the matters. It outlines some consideration of the other roles of employers' associations, including advice to members about labour and human resource issues, political representation, and training in areas such as health and safety. The chapter discusses the key role of associations involved in industrial relations will remain setting the context for the enterprise-based parties to engage in collective bargaining and to represent the interests of capital to the state.