ABSTRACT

During and after the period of extensive economic growth in Japan from the 1950s to early 70s, the central and inner city areas in Tokyo became less populous, whereas suburban areas grew rapidly due to emigration from the inner city and immigration from smaller towns and rural areas. The typical family type in the new suburban areas consisted of a male breadwinner working under the lifelong employment system and a housewife who looked after children and, often, older relatives. Falling land prices in central Tokyo after the collapse of the bubble economy in 1991 helped the process of redevelopment in the area. Redevelopment in the former residential and industrial areas caused many people to move to the new residences in the inner city creating social gentrification in these areas. Changes in the labour environment led more Japanese women to enter the workforce and increasing numbers have continued to work after marriage and childbirth.