The Journal of Japanese Studies

 

Abstract

HAYAMI AKIRA and KUROSU SATOMI
Regional Diversity in Demographic and Family Patterns in Preindustrial Japan

 This article  integrates recent studies of population and family history to sketch a new image of preindustrial Japanese society.  With historical evidence at macro and micro levels, we demonstrate that diverse demographic-family patterns coexisted before industrialization.  Based on the characteristics of northeast, central, and southwest Japan, we conduct a simulation study and show how demographic patterns and family structures are related.  We suggest that the varying level of regional socio-economic developments influenced the necessity of maintaining the ratio of working persons in households; and alternatively, shaped the demographic-family patterns.  Interpretations are added as to the varying coexistence of norms related to diverse origins of Japanese society.

Volume 27, Number 2 (Summer 2001)
© 2001 Society for Japanese Studies

 
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