Class Analysis of Modern Japanese Society

Abstract

Social classes are central categories in the sociological studies of macroscopic social structure and processes. But, with the exception of a few studies, they have not been used in quantitative studies. The purposes of this paper are (1) to provide systematic categories of social classes which are available to quantitative study, and then (2) to make quantitative analyses of modern Japanese society based upon these categories, which include problems of class determination, inequalities of income and social consciousness. Findings are as follows : (1) important factors which determine one's class location are class origin and educational qualification, but their relative importance is different according to class locations. Class origin is more important to occupy capitalist and old middle class locations, and educational qualification is more important to occupy working class location and new middle location. (2) Difference of class location generate substantial income inequalities which cannot be reduced to differences of educational qualification or occupational status. Still more, effects of educational qualification and age differ in each class location. (3) Social classes are important grounds in which common social consciousness is formed.