Experiences of Japanese Women Working in Nordic Companies Operating in Japan

Abstract

This thesis examines the experiences of Japanese women working in Nordic companies operating in Japan. The research aims to discover why some Japanese women have decided to work in Nordic companies rather than in Japanese companies by exploring their experiences working in Japanese and Nordic companies. Japanese women are facing significant obstacles in the labor market, primarily shaped by the strong gender norms that prevail in Japanese society. In Japanese society, women are expected to be the caregivers, while men are expected to act as the primary breadwinners. The research was conducted using qualitative methods like semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. The study reveals that participants' choices are influenced by their backgrounds and experiences in Japanese and Nordic work environments. They mostly had positive experiences working in Nordic companies compared to their negative experiences in Japanese companies, which encouraged them to seek alternative employment from non-Japanese companies. Equal treatment between genders, better possibilities for career advancement, and improved work-life balance were motivators for the participants to pursue careers in Nordic companies. This research provides a fresh perspective on research on gender roles in Japan with the help of comparing the working environments in Japanese and Nordic companies. I argue that some Japanese working women seek employment in Nordic companies as an alternative career option because of the gender-based norms and restrictions they face in Japanese companies. While women find a more balanced work-life environment and equal treatment in Nordic companies, there are still challenges. These challenges are, for example, double cultural expectations, small companies having fewer career advancement opportunities, in addition to having fewer companies to choose from due to the small number of Nordic companies in Japan.