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RESULTS OF THE VALUES SURVEY
Several Japanese and some U.S. classes participated in our study. Since the number of students participating was smaller than expected, in our analysis we combined males and females and junior and senior high school students. Many different values were mentioned by students in both countries. We took the 10 values most often agreed to as being shared by students in each country and listed them below followed by the number of students who agreed that each represented their society’s values.
| Rank | Top 10 U.S. Student Values | Top 10 Japanese Student Values |
| 1 | Family (74) | Friendship (106) |
| 2 | Education (66) | Peace/Getting Along (64) |
| 3 | Friendship (51) | Respect (63) |
| 4 | Money/Weath (49) | Cooperation/Community (62) |
| 5 | Freedom (48) | Money/Wealth (54) |
| 6 | Happiness (38) | Live/Reverence for life (48) |
| 7 | Respect (33) | Manners (40) |
| 8 | Jobs (29) | Family (37) |
| 9.5 | Love (26) | Love (36) |
| 9.5/10 | Health (26) | Nature/Evironment (32) |
There were five values that are on both lists. There are: Family, Friendship, Money/Wealth, Respect and Love.
The five values that were only on the top 10 US list but not on the Japanese list are presented below. We also show the number of Japanese students who mentioned each of the values.
Only on U.S. Top 10 List Number of Japanese Students who Noted this Value
Education 5Freedom 0
Happiness 0
Jobs 0
Health 31
The five values that were only on the top 10 Japanese but not on the American list are presented below. We also show the number of American students who mentioned each of these values.
Only on Japanese Top 10 List Number of U.S. Students who Noted this Value
Peace/Getting Along 5
Cooperation/Community 9
Life/Reverence for Life 0
Manners 0
Nature/Environment 1
ESSAY CONTEST RULES
1. Assume that the surveys are valid and representative of the two cultures. These are the values students say best characterize their society. Please discuss these results. What does this study say about your culture? What does it say about the other culture? How does knowing about a people’s values help to explain differences between US and Japanese society? What else would you like to find out about the other culture?
2. Only students from classes that participated in the values project and sent class values data are eligible to participate in the Essay Contest.
3. Your essay should be no more than 500 words and should be submitted no later than June 20th. Include your name, age, and the name of your school on your essay. Include an e-mail address where you can be notified. We will also notify your teacher.
4. U.S. students, please write your essay in English. Japanese students may write their essays in Japanese.
5. Each prize winner will receive an engraved plaque. Each winner’s teacher will receive a check for $100 to purchase equipment or supplies for their class. Up to four prizes will be awarded, two to Japanese students and two to American students. Notifications will be made during the summer.
Updated May 29, 1999