Dear Dr. M. Susan Stiner,

I'm very pleased with the mail you sent me last week and it's good

to see you again. We're sorry for being late.

These days, the weather changed suddenly into like fall, I mean

cool fall. It's very pleasing for studying and doing anything.

In my homework,

(Answers)

1.A. The population of Japan is about 126,000,000, and there are about

12,000 CPAs.

2. 44 states require the 150-hour plan in the U.S.

1.B&3. I quoted the following from the webpage you mentioned and

In the U.S., the requirements for becoming a CPA are (1) complete

a program of study in accounting at a college or university -- the

AICPA recommends at least 150 hours of study; (2) pass the Uniform

CPA Examination graded by AICPA; (3)obtain a certain amount of

professional work experience in public accounting -- however, this

is not required in all states. Licenses come from the states, not

the federal government.

In Japan, to be qualified as a CPA a person must pass CPA examination

conducted by the Certified Public Accountants Board, an advisory body

to the Minister of Finance. The CPA examinations consist of three stages.

• First stage

The first stage assesses whether the candidate has the

basic knowledge required to apply for the second stage

examination. The test covers the Japanese language, mathematics,

English and an essay. There are no educational requirements

to sit for this examination. The first stage examinaiton is

waived for college/university graduates or those who have

completed at least two years of their college/university

education.

• Second stage

As this stage the applicants are assessed for professional

knowledge required for an accountant. The examination consists

of multiple-choice test and written test. Only the candidates

who have passed the multiple-choice test would be allowed to

take the written test.

The applicant must pass all subjects selected at one sitting

and it is said that the second stage examination is one of the

most difficult professional examinations in Japan. The applicant

who has passed the second stage examination is qualified as a

Junior CPA upon registration at the JICPA.

• Third stage

The applicants are assessed for technical competence in

professional judgement required for a CPA. The applicant, in order to become

eligible to sit for the third stage examination, must have completed

at least two-year training courses offered by the JICPA and other

qualified organizations and two-year audit training at an accounting

firm or specific training in industry. However, most applicants would

complete both trainings within three years as one year overlapping

is permitted.

The applicant who has passed the third stage examination is permitted

to practice as a CPA upon registration at and joining the membership

of the JICPA.

I think there are much more disclosure for firms' information in the U.S. than

in Japan. So, there have to be a lot of experts for helping information disclose,

and the CPA is one of the experts who has professional skills for that. I also

think Japanese strict regulation should be changed to international standards.

Thank you very much for taking your time.

Sincerely,