This report outlines the history of non-commercial and local production of audiovisual instructional materials in Japan since World War II, discusses current trends in instructional materials usage, and presents four case studies of materials production at the prefectural level. Topics addressed include: (1) materials production prior to the Second World War; (2) local materials production during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s; (3) the diversification of non-commerical audiovisual instructional materials; (4) establishment of the Japan Association of Audiovisual Education in Schools; (5) current trends as seen through the National Non-Commercial Audiovisual Instructional Materials Contest sponsored by the Japan Audiovisual Education Assiciation (JAVEA); (6) production of regional instructional materials by prefectural boards of education; (7) the diffusion of videotape recorders and the production of non-commercial videotape instructional materials; and (8) training programs based upon the "Curriculum Standards for Training in Audiovisual Education." Case studies of production facilities and services for the prefectures of Niigata, Yamagata, Sapporo City (Hokkaido), and Toyohashi City (Aichi) conclude the report. (JB)