Men of Uncertainty: The Social Organization of Day Laborers in Contemporary Japan

Exploring the lives of Japan's day laborers, the book delves into the unique culture of yoseba, urban labor markets where these men congregate, and the cheap lodging areas known as doya-gai. Focusing on Yokohama, it reveals how these individuals live outside traditional societal structures like the nuclear family and corporate life. Through comparative ethnography, the author highlights their libertarian and egalitarian lifestyles, while also addressing the challenges they face, including social exclusion, lack of family, and precarious living conditions.