Knowledge about old age and aging in Japanese urban adults aged 30 to 59 years was measured by Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz. Educational background significantly related to the level of knowledge. However, age, sex, and co-residence with elderly parents were not related to knowledge. Comparison between average percent errorpositive and average percent error-negative revealed the fact that negative misconceptions about old age and aging are commonly held by Japanese adults. © 1987 D. Reidel Publishing Company.