10.2190/1CPR-QEQ6-MP0J-8Q9C 1CPRQEQ6MP0J8Q9C 17 Bargaining Laws and Union Density in the Civil Service: The Japanese Paradox 17 28 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 1CPRQEQ6MP0J8Q9C.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=1CPRQEQ6MP0J8Q9C 1 Francois Simard A substantial body of literature has shown that in advanced industrialized countries the legal rules governing labor relations have a strong impact on union density and this relationship is strongly associated to the relationship between perceived instrumentality and union density. But there are a few cases of strong unions despite unfavorable rules. The Japanese civil service is one of these cases. Despite a level of union security reduced to the minimum, without the right to strike or to sign collective agreements and with a very restricted scope of negotiation, the Japanese civil service has a relatively high union density. Focusing on decision making concerning staff numbers, this research shows Japanese civil service unions have found ways of influencing decision makers without directly challenging the rules, making these unions more relevant than they appear to be.