Value Priorities of Japanese and American Service Academy Students

The exceptional demands placed upon military organizations throughout the world today render comparative analysis of military culture and values important, particularly as defense policies become increasingly integrative and cooperative to combat global terrorism. Using an instrument designed to prioritize value orientations, this study examines value priorities of prospective officers at Japanese and American military academies. Findings suggest that Japanese students are more individualistic and selfdirected and American students more benevolent and traditional than popular conceptions suggest. The study discusses the findings within the social and cultural contexts of the service academies and societies at large. The article also discusses the implications for military relations with their civil society and with each other.