An analysis and comparison of science education in Japan and the United States is presented. Studies in comparative science education, including the first and second International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) and the Japan and United States Cooperative Science Project, provide an empirical base for some of the analyses. The review of literature presents a guide to writings in English on science education in Japan. Similarities and differences in the structure of science education programs and a comparison of elementary and secondary programs, including earth science, physics, biology, and chemistry, are analyzed. In light of the analysis results, student achievement (both Japanese and United States) in science is discussed. Similarities and differences between teachers, teacher education, and teaching methods in both countries is examined. Science education centers, student backgrounds and expectations, sex, family size, a liking of science, future science education for students, homework, and books in the home are reviewed. Proposals for educational reform and the resulting implications for science education are examined. The study concludes with a list of questions that deserve further thought and investigation and with a 10-page bibliography. (RSL)