Work

Governing employees : a Foucauldian analysis of deaths from overwork in Japan

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: This article explores the institutional causes of karoshi (death from overwork) and karojisatsu (suicide induced by overwork and work-related depression) in Japan. Rejecting the culturalist explanations of these health problems, this study discusses the management-labor struggles of postwar Japan and their impacts on the institutional modes of labor relations. It specifically examines the institutional features of internal labor markets that are closely linked to karoshi and karojisatsu by exploring how the Japanese employees are driven to overwork at the micro level. Drawing on the Foucauldian idea of governmentality and utilizing a sociological approach, this research treats these institutional forms of labor relations as part of the governmental technology that has adversely affected the everyday working lives of employees and has compelled them to overwork.

Source: DigitalCommons@Pace (Pace University)

Author: Yoshio Shibata

Language: English

Topic: Employment, Labor, and Gender Studies

Subfield: Industrial relations

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funders: Harvard University, La Trobe University, Universiteit Leiden, Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, Harvard University, University of California, San Diego

OpenAlex ID: W2105422618

FWCI: 6.361

Cites: 69

Cited by: 5

Related to: 10