抄録
Japanese enterprise unions have not attempted to organize "marginal labor forces, such as part-time
employees, women, and foreign workers.
The purpose of this paper is to point out the limitations of enterprise unions confronted with economic
globalization, and to investigate a new women's general union that aims to activate the Japanese labor
movement. A case study of the Women's Union Tokyo will be used to demonstrate this. This new women's
union movement appears to contain many elements similar to other contemporary " new social movements.
The Japanese enterprise unions have three main characteristics: male-oriented organization, bureaucratic
organization, and lack ofmember's participation. Bureaucratic organization is characterized by a lack ofunion
democracy, which in turn leads to the lack of member's positive or voluntary participation.
The research consisted of a questionnaire survey of 205 members of the Women's Union Tokyo.The
questionnaire was developed as a result ofparticipant observation ofthe union activities.
Some significant facts were discovered through the empirical research.
First. members of the Women's Union Tokyo have diverse social attributes and labor problems. Women of
various ages, marital status and job type are union member. However, women with small children and married
women appear less likely to participate.
Secondly, the Women's Union Tokyo has anti-bureaucratic tendencies.
Thirdly, members of the Women's Union Tokyo find empowerment through union activities. This women's
union movement, along with other contemporary "new social movements, appears easier for women to
participate in more traditional male-oriented organizations. This accessibility may provide a key to activating
the Japanese labor movement.
