Common Diseases in Japan: Prevalence and Prevention

Japan boasts high life expectancy, but specific diseases are notably prevalent:

Leading Causes of Death

• Cancer (~30%): Stomach, lung, colorectal top the list. Stomach cancer rates are among the world's highest (linked to H. pylori, salted foods).
• Cardiovascular disease (~20%): Ischemic heart disease leading; rising with Westernized diet.
• Stroke (~15%): Ischemic stroke predominant; hypertension control critical.

Other Major Concerns

• Diabetes (~10% prevalence): Rapidly increasing; metabolic syndrome common.
• Tuberculosis: ~10,000 new cases/year; aging population with latent TB reactivation.

Common Infections & Conditions

• Viral: influenza, norovirus, common cold.
• Bacterial: pneumonia, UTIs, foodborne illness.
• Parasitic: anisakiasis (raw fish), giardiasis.
• Allergic: hay fever (cedar pollen), asthma, atopic dermatitis.
• Mental health: depression, anxiety, high suicide rate (though declining), hikikomori (social withdrawal).

Prevention Focus

National screening programs (cancer, metabolic), salt reduction campaigns, smoking cessation, H. pylori eradication, vaccination, and workplace stress checks aim to reduce burden.