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The article describes how Japanese early care and education is based on cultural knowledge and on Japanese national educational guidelines and how it aligns with constructivist theory in the areas such as promotion of community spirit in the classroom, use of play in learning, development of children's autonomy, development of reflection skills, and balance of mind and body. One objective of Japan's education guidelines states that teachers need to help children to love and trust people as well as to develop independence, cooperation, and good morals. Japanese preschool teachers promote children's interpersonal relationships by providing activities, which foster children's interests and invite their contributions. The goal is to encourage their emotional involvement with peers, thus encouraging children's positive emotions of kindness, compassion, empathy, and a sense of responsibility. Children are allowed to establish rules for their group that helps them to learn to assume responsibility for their actions.