ABSTRACT
The most remarkable characteristic of Japanese upper-secondary education is the domination of a particular style of general curriculum. This has far broader content than a British A-level curriculum, and is more academic than that found in many US high schools. It is provided not only to those who go on to university but also to many of those who enter the workforce directly. It does seem to prepare students for work: one reason for the competitiveness of Japanese industry seems to be that it produces a large, competent and homogeneous labour force. Some regard this upper secondary curriculum as a significant part of the excellence of the Japanese school system (HMI, 1991).
