Treated are the purpose, activities, organizational structure, and facilities of the Japanese institute for special education (SE). Activities noted concern SE research (in fields of medicine, psychology, education, and technology), information processing services, inservice teacher training, a child guidance center, and a school for handicapped children. Portrayed is the organizational structure consisting in a board of 20 SE specialists, a director, and departments for planning; administration; specific handicapped populations; and educational technology. Departmental functions are defined as collecting and maintaining SE materials; cooperating with national and foreign organizations; and promoting research through lectures and seminars. The institute's personnel are said to comprise 30 clerical, 40 research, and seven medical (for the child guidance clinic) staff members (1972); an annual staff increase is expected. Facilities listed are a building for research and administration, another for inservice training (included are an assembly hall and lecture rooms), dormitories for inservice trainees and lecturers, and a dining hall. (MC)