Postwar Japanese Women and Their Roles Introduction In the postwar period, Japanese women had no alternative to quit their jobs while their children were still young. Large Japanese companies required continued service from their employers in order to enjoy high status. It was difficult for women to return to a large company after a career break and if they were likely to return to work as a woman, they would not be entitled to seniority pay. After the war, the role of Japanese women had to change. becoming housewives, they were forced to abandon their paid work and return later, once their children were in school. They had low-paying jobs or worked in factories. This forced women to work in exploitative and unhealthy working conditions, not only to improve their own lives, but also to improve the lives of their families. These women lived in cluttered and often unsanitary dormitories where they were treated like virtual prisoners. Gender Stratification In Japanese history, gender has been an important principle of stratification. This occurs when men are given greater privilege and authority over women because of their gender differences. Gender roles have been prejudiced by a traditional mentality (Dower 1999)[1]. This is not uncommon in Haruko's world where her husband cultivates a political and social network and spends time with friends drinking saki while Haruko continues her backbreaking work. Sho-ichi and Haruko's world are radically different. Sho-ichi becomes a recognized leader in the community and enjoys the privilege of traveling to other countries to train. In business, men and women had distinct positions in terms of salary, promotion, and the type of work assigned. Women agreed that they...... middle of paper ...... Women's educational opportunities have increased, giving rise to a new generation of scholarly women. Japanese women can join the workforce; this is a big move away from domestic work. Most of these working women preferred to live without husbands or children. However, married women also increased their labor force participation. Simply, the status of Japanese women is being updated. Their socio-economic positions have changed. Works Cited Dower, John W. “Japan Following World War II.” In Embracing Defeat, WW Norton & Company, 1999. 155[2] Bernstein, Gail Lee. In Haruko's World, Stanford University Press, 1996. 17[3] Bernstein, Gail Lee. In Haruko's World, Stanford University Press, 1996. 15[4] Dower, John W. “Japan in the Aftermath of World War II.” In Embracing Defeat, WW Norton & Company, 1999. 158