The eighth edition of this publication presents a general description of the educational system in Japan in order to introduce foreign educators and others interested in Japanese education to the fundamental aspects of the Japanese educational system and to certain relevant facets of its cultural and economic context. The major organizational sections are an introduction (general background, principles of the educational system, legal controls, framework, school system development, educational standards, school population statistics), administration and finance, school education (school system, teachers' problems, students' problems), social education (educational facilities, opportunities), and international exchange. Over 50 charts accompany the text. New to this edition are chapters concerning school standards on instructional aids and equipment and organizations of teaching personnel. An appendix lists the universities in Japan. (Author/KSM)