Becoming self-employed: The case of Japanese men

From a dynamic, life course perspective, this study examines the determinants of nonfarm self-employment for Japanese men from around the 1930s to 1975. Using work histories in a national mobility survey, the author studied the propensity of becoming self-employed at labor force entry and in later career. Results suggest that (a) father's self-employment is important; but (b) family-employed status does not enhance one's chances: and (c) historical, economic conditions affect propensity significantly at the moment of labor force entrance. Tiny-firm workers are more likely to move into self-employment. Industrial sector and employment duration also affect one's taking nonfarm self-employment as a career option.