The Early Paleolithic in Japan occurs below the Tachikawa Loam Formation of the southern Kanto Plain, and covers the general time frame of the Lower, Middle, and early Upper Paleolithic of Western Europe. Substantial disagreements about Paleolithic finds and timing of the arrival of man in Japan have marked the 20th century history of Japanese Paleolithic research. By the 1960s, debate centered on stratigraphic context, whether the putative Paleolithic materials were man made, and the appropriateness of reference materials. The author's own work leads him to conclude that there are very few assemblages which present convincing evidence of human workmanship and positive stratigraphic contexts predating 30,000 B.P. However, a number of difficult to date pre-ceramic assemblages differ from the Late Paleolithic, and it is possible that an Early Paleolithic technological tradition lasted until 20, 000 B.P. or later. Future investigations should focus on the relationship of the Early and Late Paleolithic traditions in Japan. In addition, an explanation of the unusually late persistence of the Early Paleolithic chopper/chopping tool technology is required.