Miura, M. and Stewart, D. (2016). "Political and Cultural Challenges To Gender Parity In Japan." Carnegie Council. Available at: https://www.carnegiecouncil.org/studio/multimedia/20160425b/index.html

Hu, E. (2016). "Will More Day Care Help Boost Japan's Sluggish Economy?" NPR. Available at: http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/01/05/460801951/will-more-day-care-help-boost-japans-sluggish-economy

Kuhn, A. (2010). "For Japanese Women, The Past Is The Latest Fad." NPR. Available at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125898462

Connell, R.W. (1990), “The State, Gender, and Sexual Politics: Theory and Appraisal”, in Theory and Society, October, vol.19, no.5, pp.507-544

Creswell, J. (2003). "A Framework for Design (PDF)," Chapter 1 in Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches, 2nd Edition. London: Sage.

Finnemore, M. & Sikkink, K. (1998), “International Norm Dynamics and Political Change”, in International Organization, Autumn, vol.52, no.4, pp.887-917 

Honda, Y. (2005), “Freeters: Young Atypical Workers in Japan”, in Japan Labour Review, Summer, vol.2, no.3, pp.5-25

 

 

The second source he presents is prior theory and research. In interpreting various examples from various theories and paradigms during this class, the theoretical approach for my capstone can be defined as mixed methods (Creswell, 2003), the difficulty is in selecting the right theoretical framework even if I can already see utilizing transformative procedures using my analysis methods of survey and interview/focus groups. My “go to” is usually critical theory because it speaks strongest to my ontology, by being ingrained in the Japanese culture and learning from the Japanese housewives. The topic of this capstone may be better suited to be tied to constructivism which would take me out of my comfort zone by looking at co-constructed realities, but the inquiry aim is more closely aligned to understanding with less of a moral tilt and more of a process tilt (Lincoln, Lynham, Guba, 2001).

 

2. While representation for women is still very low for women in government in Japan, it is still higher than for women in leadership positions in business. Does one need to come before the other? Does representation in government need to come before meaningful changes in the business world, or do women have to be represented in the business world before being respected in government positions?

3. In the effort to push for more children, are women's rights being pushed to the side? How can both efforts exist simultaneously?

I would like to explore gender structure with a constructivist view.  Finnemore and Sikkink (2001) explained, Constructivists focus on ideational rather than material structures in the creation of ideas, norms, knowledge, culture, and identity that form the basis of collectively held “intersubjective” understandings of social and political interactions. Utilizing Connell’s concept of “hegemonic masculinity” and Finnemore and Sikkink’s “norm life cycle model”, this research will explore how hegemonic masculinity will be applied to the Japanese context to argue for the centrality of masculinity defined through the corporation, and for its significance in an understanding of femininity. I would also like to analyze Japanese state legislation and government commitment towards ensuring continuity in gender norm dynamics.