The divergent cultural patterns, philosophies of education, and basic structures of government in Japan and the United States have resulted in distinct differences between the educational systems of the two countries. The national government strictly regulates all aspects of Japanese education (including student achievement levels and the competencies taught in training programs), whereas education in the United States is characterized by relatively low levels of federal intervention. About 50 percent of the material covered by Japanese vocational students is on general academic subjects; vocational programs in the United States focus largely on specific technical skills. The Japanese government provides financial assistance directly to educational institutions, which in turn require lower tuition rates from students than those required in the United States. Unlike Japan, the United States supplies significant amounts of educational assistance through government guaranteed loans. A survey of a sample of 100 Texas student loan recipients indicated failure to find a well-paying job in one's field of training and the perception that the education received was not worth the money as two reasons why many student loans are not repaid. (The survey questionnaire is appended, the bibliography lists 60 references, and 18 tables and 16 figures are included.) (MN)