This book is a comprehensive study underpinned by thirty years of research conducted by the author relating to Japanese human resource management and labour-management relations. Its aim is to achieve a better understanding of the Japanese model for human resource management and labour standards issues, and its transferability to supply chains in Asia. Seeking a better understanding of the strength of Japanese management and its applicability to foreign countries, Japanese Human Resource Management introduces a new agenda for Japanese corporations that wish to operate in sustainable and inclusive ways in local societies and in global supply chains. Organized into three major themes this comprehensive study is essential reading for students, researchers and government who wish to promote productivity improvement and constructive labour-management relations.

Naoki Kuriyama is Professor of Human Resources Management at the Department of Business Administration of Soka University located in Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan. Previously he was employed as an expert on employment for ILO, Geneva (1988-1991), visiting scholar at International Institute of Labour Studies and Modern Asia Research Centre, Geneva (1999-2000). His research interests concern the relationships between internal and external stakeholders such as CSR and HRM. Coordination of the university programme of “Business Education of Sustainable Development” with extensive research visits to Europe and Asia is one of the priority fields.