Health in Japan Social Epidemiology of Japan since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics

In the latter half of the 20th century, Japan developed into a thriving economy, and the Japanese remain one of the healthiest populations in the world to this day. However, in the past 25 years, low-growth, mounting debt, and rapid ageing have complicated this image, and global interest in the longevity and social cohesion of the Japanese populace is now greater than ever.
Health in Japan brings together the perspectives and research of Japan's leading social epidemiologists in English for the first time, creating an enriching reading experience for both Japanese and international readers. With chapters on key topics such as Chronic Disease, Disasters and Health, and Mental Health and Wellbeing, this textbook offers a comprehensive examination of all major health issues facing the country.
Focusing on the primary, upstream causes of health and disease, as well as novel evidence on the wider determinants of well-being and illness, this is a must-read for any public health professional or researcher with an interest in Japanese society, culture, and healthcare.

Eric Brunner, Professor of Social and Biological Epidemiology and Health Care, Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, UK,Noriko Cable, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK,Hiroyasu Iso, Professor of Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan

Eric Brunner is Professor of Social and Biological Epidemiology and Health Care at University College London.

Dr. Noriko Cable is a Senior Research Fellow with the Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care at University College London.


Hiroyasu Iso is Professor of Public Health in the Department of Social Medicine at the Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine.

1. Excellent population health, low economic growth, Eric Brunner, Noriko Cable, and Hiroyasu Iso
Part 1. Health and health inequalities across the life course
2. Women, men, and the missing babies, Sachiko Baba and Hiroyasu Iso
3. Gender inequalities in Japan: gender division of labour and health, Kaori Honjo
4. Child health in Japan, Takeo Fujiwara, Nobutoshi Nawa, and Yusuke Matsuyama
5. Family, community and mental well-being, Noriko Cable, Michikazu Sekine, and Shinsuke Koike
6. Japan's miracle decades: harmony, hard work, and health, Akizumi Tsutsumi
7. Work and health in a diverse and disparate labour market, Mariko Inoue
8. Health and financial sustainability in ageing Japan, Hideki Hashimoto, Yoshiharu Fukuda, and Eric Brunner
9. Dementia and healthy ageing in older people, Katsunori Kondo
10. Historical overview of Japanese society, health and health inequalities from the 19th to the 21st century, Ayako Hiyoshi and Naoki Kondo
Part 2. Trends in chronic disease and risk factors
11. Chronic diseases and risk factor trends in Japan: Cardiovascular inequalities, Hiroyasu Iso, Kotatu Maruyama , and Kazumasa Yamagishi
12. Cancer inequalities in Japan, Yuri Ito and Bernard Rachet
13. Physical activity, sport and health in Japan, Shigeru Inoue, Hiroyuki Kikuchi, and Shiho Amagasa
14. Tobacco control policy and tobacco product use disparity in Japan, Takahiro Tabuchi
15. Mental health and wellbeing in Japan: social, cultural, and political determinants, Norito Kawakami and Akihito Shimazu
Part 3. Japan and the planet
16. Japan's engagement with global health: evolution and outlook in the era of SDGs, Hiroki Nakatani
17. Geographic Disparities in Health, Tomoki Nakaya and Tomoya Hanibuchi
18. Disaster and health: what makes a country resilient?, Naoki Kondo and Jun Aida
19. Social determinants of health on the island of Okinawa, Kokoro Shirai
20. Japan in long view, Eric Brunner, Noriko Cable, and Hiroyasu Iso