The major research trends over the past 25 years in Japanese physical education are analyzed using oral reports of the Japanese Society of Physical Education. Topics for analysis include: philosophy, sociology, history, administration, psychology, growth and development, health education, teaching methodology, biomechanics, measurement and evaluation, and exercise physiology. Broad analyses focus on the structure of the society relative to the research functions, the academic status of the field relative to others in Japan, the themes and topics of the reports of the society, and the future prospect and tasks to be fulfilled. References are included. (DS)