Approximately 80 percent of arrests in Japan for solvent inhalant use involve teenagers. The authors examined data obtained from 7,744 students attending 13 junior high schools in the Kanto area of Japan in order to discover the relative contribution of several risk factors for life-time use of solvent inhalant use. Data were obtained using a 41-item self-administered questionnaire that focused on demographic information, daily routines, social variables, and life-time drug use. Results of multivariate and univariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the most significant risk factors for solvent use were the variables “smoking cigarettes nearly everyday” and peer pressure. Other contributing variables were being male, not liking school, and not enjoying family life. Finally, two variables that did not demonstrate an association with the use of solvents were the use of alcohol and knowledge of the harmful effects of solvents. The authors conclude, despite popular opinion, that alcohol does not act as a gateway to the use of solvents among youth. The authors suggest that the Japanese culture plays a role in which drugs are abused by youth and they suggest a longitudinal study should be undertaken to explore this proposition. Tables, references