Abstract
In the description of the chronology of the Paleolithic cultures from various localities of Japan, as well as of the world, the famous glacial succession in the Alpine Forelands is commonly taken as the standard. After reviewing the chronology and correlation in the standard areas of the Pleistocene subdivisions in Europe, a proposal is made to avoid confusion in the international correlation of the Middle and Late Pleistocene including the ages of the Paleolithic cultures arising from the application of the Alpine climate units to those outside the Alpine Forelands. It is suggested that the usage of European stage names be avoided and that domestic places be proposed on objective facts. The stratigraphic horizon of the oldest cultures reported from the northern part of the Kanto Region and other localities of Japan corresponds to the incipient phase of the last and most significant lowering of sea-level in the Late Pleistocene, which is well recognized throughout the coastal region of the Japanese Islands and adjacent areas.
