Introduces this special issue on the English language in Japan, which focuses on the historical phases of the introduction of English, the role of English in the educational system and the media, the contact and convergence of Japanese and English, the functions of English in Japan, and Japanese attitudes toward English. (three references) (MDM)

Examines modes of competition for entry to selective Japanese universities using data on graduates from five high schools. Describes four models of selection modes, with "contest mobility" and "tournament mobility" corresponding to myths about U.S. and Japanese selection processes. Connects such myths to different national…

Asserts that the Japanese educational system consists of the "facade" of ministerially-decreed harmony and the "real intent" of competition. Argues that the balance between the two has been endangered by recent reforms that seek to promote "creativity and diversification." Suggests that policymakers did not analyze…

The results of a Japanese replication of the vocalic social referencing experiment are discussed in comparison with original findings from the United States. The attempt to replicate failed. It is argued that the lack of success was due to (1) Japanese mothers' attitude toward laboratory situations, an attitude resulting from relative…

Focusing on culture and organizational processes, this book examines the influences of culture on the organizational processes of conflict, negotiation, and decision making. The essays discuss the following: (1) culture and communication in organizational contexts; (2) cultural communication and organizing; (3) stereotypes and schemata; (4) a…

Although there has been much interest in the United States about Japanese education, few studies have examined the Japanese school system from the teachers' perspective. This study investigated 143 Japanese and 386 U.S. high school teachers' attitudes concerning their work conditions, roles and responsibilities, and work experiences. An…

The Twenty Statements Test was administered to university students in Japan, the United States, and Hong Kong to assess cultural influences on self-concept. Numerous cultural differences were found in the frequency of categories and subcategories used for self-statements and in the level of self-esteem. (AOS)

Studies two determinants of male puberty rites: communitywide exclusive male work groups and polygyny which act as an extension of male subculture; and sexual integration in the division of labor and distant father-child relationship which act to reduce the distance between the sexes. (Author/RC)

Describes a study that explored the degree and nature of the differences in international images resulting from national culture. Cognitive maps produced by the perceived differences of four cultural groups were measured and compared by multidimensional scaling methods. Looks at the influence of international communication experiences on the…

This article examines East Asian societies' response to students who are gifted academically or talented in the arts, music, or sports, focusing on educational practices in China, Taiwan, and Japan. The study concludes that establishment of gifted education programs is not determined by economic development level or school quality but by the…

Examines the educational environment in Japan since World War II. Assesses both elementary and secondary levels of education, and evaluates the psychology of dependence as a factor in the lack of freedom of expression in academic settings. Delves into the external and internal structure of Japanese cultural society. (CCM)

Argentine, Belgian, French, Israeli, Italian, Japanese, and U.S. mothers of 20-month-olds evaluated their competence, satisfaction, investment, and role balance in parenting; they also rated attributions of successes and failures in parenting tasks to their ability, effort, or mood; difficulty of task; or child behavior. Few cross-cultural…

In an effort to explain the spatial patterning of violence, we expanded Sutherland's (1947) concept of differential social organization to include the level of deviance exhibited by neighboring areas. To test the value of this extension, the geographic clustering of Japanese suicide and homicide rates is assessed using 1985 and 1995 data for…

This paper provides an overview of current controversial issues in early childhood education in Japan. One controversy discussed is the increasing emphasis on cognitive development in early childhood programs since World War II, especially the focus on reading and writing; and presents the controversy surrounding the task of learning Japanese and…

This collection of papers on the intercultural communication between the United States and Japan is divided into three sections. The first section, "Introduction to Intercultural Communication," describes the background of the relationship between Japan and the United States, the history of the study of intercultural communication, and…