Embodying Japan: Cultures of Sport, Beauty, and Medicine 2017

The Salaryman, Hikikomori, and Hostesses

The promotion of capitalism and Japan's motivation for economic growth has created an ideal identity, the salaryman, for Japanese males to fulfill. In addition, a Japanese woman is required to cater towards the male. These salarymen work long hours which is consequential to their health. Japanese Youth who prefer not to fulfill this role become hikikomori or social recluses. Japanese women become hostesses, and are expected to offset the consequences the salaryman induces. In this path, we will see how these three identities are interlaced and how it reveals the discomfort and unfairness behind Japan's expectations for men and women.

Contents of this path:

  1. The Salaryman Identity As An Ideal For Nationalism and Success
  2. Karoshi: Consequences of the Salaryman Identity
  3. Hokikomori: Reclusive Lifestyle In Fear of the Salaryman Identity
  4. Hostessing: a role in maintaining corporate relationships
  5. Coexistence in a Capitalist Japan

This page has tags:

  1. Gender and Identity in Modern Japan Shannon Brooks
  2. Commodification of Identity Shannon Brooks
  3. Capitalizing on Japanese Youth Culture Shannon Brooks
  4. The Salaryman Shannon Brooks
  5. Feminine Desire in Japan as an Agent of Social Change Shannon Brooks
  6. Shannon Wu Shannon Wu
  7. Confessions of a Host Shannon Brooks

Contents of this tag:

  1. Coexistence in a Capitalist Japan