Identity of Japanese Women Living in New York

Abstract

Despite the vast number of studies about Japanese businessmen staying abroad and children growing up in foreign countries, little is known about the wives of Japanese businessmen overseas. This work investigates how a rarely-studied group - the wives of Japanese businessmen posted abroad – experience dislocation and identity change as they learn to adapt to the cultural, linguistic, and social challenges posed by their new environment. Based on the answers to the questionnaires, administered to 47 Japanese women, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 wives of Japanese businessmen in the New York City area. An analysis of the 21 interviews demonstrates that the wives’ transformed their identities in many ways because of the influence of American values. These women strongly came to believe in the equality of men & women, diversity, and self-realization. In addition, they created their own unique life styles and values by integrating Japanese and American cultures. The implications of these findings are significant. They shed light on how to address the problems of Japanese expatriate wives in order to enhance their psychological and emotional well-being. A better quality of life for these wives and mothers should result in positive outcomes for the expatriate family as a whole, thereby benefiting the sponsoring Japanese company.