When Japanese education is considered from a Western perspective, the stereotypical image seems to be that of a rigid, achievement-oriented, and traditional system, producing technologically-focused human beings. This presentation focuses on the human and cultural dimensions of Japanese society and on how Japanese children are motivated to achieve and surpass their American counterparts. A framework is provided for examining: (1) the complex cultural collaborations or interrelationships that exist in Japan among parents, schools, and society; (2) the society's cultural and philosophical bases, specifically, that human beings are a single, harmonious physical and mental unit defined by relationships with others (in contrast to the private, objective, individualistic values of the West); (3) the strong Japanese national identity which is reinforced by fundamental philosophic and moral principles and ethics; (4) the traditional role of the mother and her responsibilities as the main source of influence in the family; (5) the relationship between education and occupation; (6) the course of study in elementary schools; (7) the highly competitive entrance examinations required for a student to enter a high school or university; and (8) the nature of reform efforts in Japanese schools. (LL)