Its sense of order is reflected in the phenomenon of the lifetime employer. Many Japanese men define themselves by the company they work for rather than the job they do. An employer's influence stretches to commanding employees' social time, and even to encouraging and approving marriages. Women mostly play a traditional role, running the home and supervising the all-important education of their children. They tend to work until the age of 26, when many will marry and continue to work part-time.
Some Japanese women are, however, beginning to follow independent, long-term careers.
More are entering the medical and legal professions. Social form remains extremely important in Japanese society. Respect for elders and for social and business superiors is strongly ingrained. There is little tradition of generation rebellion, but the youth market is powerful and current fashions place teenagers at their center. Many may still end up following their parents' lifestyles, but established attitudes are under challenge.