“Cultural understanding” in formal education has of late attracted considerable attention in Japan. Although there was little discussion on this issue in Japanese music education, but is in U. K. on 1984-1985. The dispute was exchanged between K. Swanwick and G. Vulliamy & J. Shepherd on British Journal of Sociology of Education. This article suggests problems and a viewpoint for this issue by referring to their dispute. Because their dispute show problems that taking up it which is not recognized to be “music” on “music” education and possibility of introduction of “other culture” on school, their dispute is important. It seems that their dispute gives the suggestion that is effective for “intercultural understanding” education in Japan.