Japan's postwar research and development (R&D) efforts have passed through several phases to bring the nation to what may be called "relative parity" with the United States. This document examines the characteristics of Japanese and U.S. R&D efforts. Topics compared include: national science resource patterns; science and engineering personnel; government R&D; higher education; and outputs and impacts. Selected highlights show that R&D expenditures in Japan increased nearly fivefold between 1965 and 1985, while U.S. expenditures rose 63%; less than one percent of Japan's R&D expenditures were devoted to defense in 1985 while the United States devoted 30%; Japan had 28% as many scientists in 1985 as the United States had in 1986, while Japan had 187 engineers per 10,000 labor force compared to 183 in the United States; nearly 31% of Japan's natural scientists and engineers engaged in R&D in 1985 were in higher education compared with 14% for The United States; while the Japanese higher education system annually graduates about the same number of engineers as the United States, it graduates only about one-tenth as many first-degree students in the natural sciences. Included are detailed statistical tables, a listing of Japanese government research programs, and awards of the distinguished research program of the Ministry of Education. (MVL)