This episode delves into the complex relationship between labor unions, popular culture, and gender equality in Japan during the years following World War II. It explores how the initial commitment to women's equality gradually gave way to conservative gender norms that prioritized male workers' interests and diminished the role of women within the labor movement.

The AI-generated discussion is based on Christopher Gerteis’ book Gender Struggles: Wage-Earning Women and Male-Dominated Unions in Postwar Japan (Harvard 2010), which the author has reviewed for accuracy.

Japanese Modernity @ Substack is a platform for presenting research in a clear, engaging, and accessible way. We aim to make historical scholarship enjoyable for a wide audience. We invite you to join the conversation and share your thoughts on this innovative approach to communicating complex ideas. Contact Christopher Gerteis at [email protected] if you have a book or article you would like to contribute to the discussion.

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