Discusses a major, national plan (Fifth Generation Computer Systems) for Japan to become number one in the computer industry by the latter half of the 1990s. Includes comments on the likely success of and problems associated with the plan supported by Japan's Ministery of International Trade and Industry. (JN)

The District of Columbia Public Schools initiated a multiyear planning process in 1983. Among other activities, the process calls for the computerized monitoring of the critical tasks of each of the district's major offices. These tasks, defined by the offices, are designed to facilitate the achievement of specific objectives designated in the…