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£Jv\Aa a C Dokl UNIVERSITY OF LONDON See over for Abstract of Thesis notes on completion £ jv \a a A doKL Author (full names) C Title of thesis ... th ft A U ...... D. £*.. j.. Mfr?. ^rUfrA bk fT^I KtVb A&VXtxrf 0 oJ) 1 (A ................................................................................... Degree £h\)... Normative ideals of masculinity in Japan continue to largely revolve around the figure of the ‘salaryman’: the responsible (middle-class) salaried worker, breadwinner and father. Although this model of adult manhood is becoming less attainable for many young men, the social and self expectations of many remain focused on these very ideals, as do normative ideals of adulthood. But what happens to young men who are unable or unwilling to attain salaried work? This thesis explores the lives of freeters: officially defined as part-time workers aged between fifteen and thirty-four, who, by their employment status, are almost the antithesis of the steady, productive salaryman. Freeters are often depicted in popular discourse as either lazy unmotivated youth or the victims of a changing economic climate. The vast majority of studies on freeters come from sociology, education and labour economics. These are generally data-rich, but people-poor, and most seek to structurally understand why people become freeters and the role that education and changing economic structures play in this. Little focus is given to the role of gender or issues of agency or the ways in which cultural notions of adulthood, selfhood and gender intertwine. Yet these are intimately tied into the discourse on freeters and to their lifestyles. Much of the concern surrounding the freeter ‘issue’ focuses on male freeters who are perceived to be failing to be proper productive citizens through their irregular working styles, low (or absent) payments into the social welfare system, and their comparatively modest marriage rate. Indeed, failure was never far from the thoughts of male freeters, though for differing reasons. They felt that by continued pursuit of their non-mainstream aspirations they were failing at being ‘proper5 adult men because of their inability to become core breadwinners and provide familial stability. Yet, they also felt that they would be failing themselves by shelving their aspirations and succumbing to a lifestyle that many had been seeking to move away from. By ethnographically exploring the lives of freeters I seek a different perspective from previous studies. By examining the interplay between cultural (gendered) notions of maturity and selfhood, and normative ideals of masculinity in Japan, it is possible to see how individuals’ attempts to create more meaningful lives for themselves are mediated by gendered notions (created and maintained by both men and women) of vhat it means to be an adult man in Japan. ProQuest Number: 10672902 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a com plete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 10672902 Published by ProQuest LLC(2017). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States C ode Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 Notes for Candidates 1 Type your abstract on the other side of this sheet. 2. Use single-space typing. Limit your abstract to one side of the sheet. 3. Please submit this copy of your abstract to the Research Degree Examinations Office, Room NBQ1. University of London, Senate House, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HU, at the same time as you submit copies of your thesis. 4. This abstract will be forwarded to the University Library, which will send this sheet to the British Library and to ASLIB (Association of Special Libraries and Information Bureaux) for publication in Index to Theses. For official use Subject Panel/Specialist Group BLLD .......................................... Date of Acceptance Failing Freeters: Young Men, Masculinity and Adulthood in Japan Emma Elizabeth Cook Department of Anthropology and Sociology School of Oriental and African Studies University of London Thesis presented to the University of London for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2 0 0 9 Declaration 2 Declaration I certify that the thesis I have presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the University of London is solely my own work. References to other people’s work have been indicated throughout. The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. Quotation from it is permitted, provided that full acknowledgement is made. This thesis may not be reproduced without the author’s prior written consent. I warrant that this authorisation does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. Abstract 3 Abstract Normative ideals of masculinity in Japan continue to largely revolve around the figure of the ‘salaryman’: the responsible (middle-class) salaried worker, breadwinner and father. Although this model of adult manhood is becoming less attainable for many young men, the social and self expectations of many remain focused on these very ideals, as do normative ideals of adulthood. But what happens to young men who are unable or unwilling to attain salaried work? This thesis explores the lives of freeters: officially defined as part-time workers aged between fifteen and thirty-four, who, by their employment status, are almost the antithesis of the steady, productive salaryman. Freeters are often depicted in popular discourse as either lazy unmotivated youth or the victims of a changing economic climate. The vast majority of studies on freeters come from sociology, education and labour economics. These are generally data-rich, but people-poor, and most seek to structurally understand why people become freeters and the role that education and changing economic structures play in this. Little focus is given to the role of gender or issues of agency or the ways in which cultural notions of adulthood, selfhood and gender intertwine. Yet these are intimately tied into the discourse on freeters and to their lifestyles. Much of the concern surrounding the freeter ‘issue’ focuses on male freeters who are perceived to be failing to be proper productive citizens through their irregular working styles, low (or absent) payments into the social welfare system, and their comparatively modest marriage rate. Indeed, failure was never far from the thoughts of male freeters, though for differing reasons. They felt that by continued pursuit of their non-mainstream aspirations they were failing at being ‘proper’ adult men because of their inability to become core breadwinners and provide familial stability. Yet, they also felt that they would be failing themselves by shelving their aspirations and succumbing to a lifestyle that many had been seeking to move away from. By ethnographically exploring the lives of freeters I seek a different perspective from previous studies. By examining the interplay between cultural (gendered) notions of maturity and selfhood, and normative ideals of masculinity in Japan, it is possible to see how individuals’ attempts to create more meaningful lives for themselves are mediated by gendered notions (created and maintained by both men and women) of what it means to be an adult man in Japan. Acknowledgements 4 Acknowledgements Many people have been crucial to the completion of this thesis. First and foremost I would like to thank the many people in Japan who so generously gave of their time, opinions, and stories. Without them this thesis would not exist. I would also like to give thanks to Mr. Yutaka Sakai, the manager of the Hamamatsu branch of Toho cinema in 2006/7 who welcomed me into the workplace and facilitated my fieldwork - both in terms of the people I met and the fantastic experience that working in the cinema provided. I came to SOAS specifically to work with Dr. Lola Martinez, and it was a great decision. Her support, encouragement, and critique have been critical to the production of this thesis. Through the ups and downs of writing, her forthright, tell-it-like-it-is approach has both toughened me up (a bit) and given me much food for thought. Special thanks also to Dr. Caroline Osella who took the time to read over a full draft of the thesis and offered valuable comments and critique. I am also thankful to the Anthropology department at SOAS. The department has provided many stimulating lectures and seminars that have been central to the development of my thinking, and have provided opportunities to present chapters to both staff and fellow students. These sessions have been invaluable and I am grateful for all the people who attended, asked questions or provided critique for me to chew over during the writing process. The Japan Foundation provided vital support with the Japanese Studies Fellowship during my fieldwork year from August 2006-2007. The following two years of writing were greatly helped by first a Federation for Women Graduates (FfWG) Main Foundation Grant in 2007-2008, and the Meiji Jingu Studentship in 2008-2009. Without this financial support the process would have been much tougher. Thank you. Finally to friends and family; a huge thank you to Mr. Kohei Yamazaki who gave support, encouragement, debated endless points, and moved countries on my behalf. To my colleagues Gabriel Klaeger, Julie Soleil Archambault and Sayalco Ono who have read, listened to and critiqued my ideas, and to Dr. Patrik Meier who generously commented on an earlier manifestation of the thesis. Their academic support has been vital, but they have also been great friends. Thanks also to Lan Cook who took the time to proofread the final draft of the thesis.
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