Although it has been said that the Japanese people live in the "age of individuality", there is still a strong tendency to be like the people around them. Therefore, to get a more complete understanding of the Japanese mentality, it is necessary to examine the "being alike" mental orientation in greater detail. The purpose of this study is to address the manner in which such orientation is defined and measured, and what mental or behavioral characteristics become intensified as a result of it. The current literature suggests that there are two phases of such orientation: A "like-others" orientation which is related to a way of life where individuals try to conform to the thinking and behavior of others, and a "leveling" orientation where individuals attempt to treat themselves alike regardless of their effort or ability. Using the data from questionnaires given to approximately 200 undergraduates, oblique factor analysis showed that operational indicators of two types of hypothetical construct were made up, on which further research of mental or behavioral characteristics is based.
