The paper provides an overview of the educational system in Japan, focusing on revisions made since World War II to realize the national commitment to free, compulsory, and equal education. Efforts taken to balance nationally established academic requirements with local and regional needs are given special attention. The information is presented in six sections. The general organization and sequence of the national curriculum are established in section 1. Educational objectives are broken down for each of the following academic levels: elementary, lower secondary, upper secondary, and higher education. Charts included in this section show the average number of hours devoted to each discipline by grade level. To better understand the present Course of Study, section 2 outlines past measures taken to adapt Japanese education to changing socio-economic conditions. The four major curriculum revisions between 1947 and 1969 are detailed, noting rationale, objectives, and components of each. Sections 3 and 4 concern the present Course of Study, established in 1977. The text of this revision, which outlines the need to develop more independent thinking in a more humanistic academic environment, is paraphrased. The findings of a survey conducted by the Ministry of Education to determine how objectives of this program were being met are presented. The remaining two sections address procedures for implementing standard revisions at the local level, and descriptions of in-service training to ensure implementation. (LP)