Japanese-British differences were examined on the 8 trait Achievement-Related Motives Scale (ARMS). Japanese students scored lower on work effort, ambition and on examination anxiety. Japanese students scored higher on work tension and confidence in success. Two further studies examine the relation between the 8 ARMS traits and Eysenck's factors of Psychoticism, Extraversion and Neuroticism; and to examination success. The results are interpreted in the context of possible psychological traits underlying differences in rates of economic growth between Japan and Britain.