This booklet summarizes a government white paper outlining the development of Japanese education since the adoption of the new system following World War II. The report is organized into six main sections. The framework of the national educational system is introduced and charted in section 1, followed by a discussion of the expansion and transition of that system in section 2. Changes and additions in preschool programs, compulsory education, schooling for the handicapped, and special training opportunities are presented in detail to emphasize the degree of progress since 1945. Topics covered in section 3, include curricula revisions, selection and distribution of teaching materials, and secondary-higher education admission criteria. The promotion system for elementary through university level is illustrated in charts. Information concerning the teaching force is provided in section four, with statistics on number, sex distribution, training, and salary indicating the rising status and competency of the profession. The educational achievement of the general population, trends in grade level attainment and the relationship of education to choice of employment are analyzed in section 5. The final section documents educational expenditures since 1960. Expenses are broken down by target area--school education, social education, administration; source--national and local governments, private schools, and family contributions; and grade level. Concluding remarks point to the rising need to meet the diversifying demand for education at each stage of life. (LP)