Though targeted for governmental reform since 2002, services envisioned for gifted and talented students have not materialized in Japan. From the perspective of his personal experience as a Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund participant in 2005 and an extensive review of available literature and contacts with the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the author examines reasons for this lack of progress. Resistance may be attributable to cultural factors and other pragmatic issues, such as competition to gain entrance in the most prestigious Universities. However, losses of confidence in Japanese public schools and limited progress with reform efforts in general have also contributed to the current situation. The author suggests adoption of the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM) might counter many objections to providing services to a specific group of students, as well as improving the quality of Japanese education in general.