Smoking and cancer patterns and trends in Japan

In Japan, cancer has become the leading cause of deaths since 1981. Of all sites of cancer, lung cancer, which is presently the second most common cancer in males and the fourth most common cancer in females, has increased markedly over the last 35 years. The reason for the marked increase of lung cancer in Japan is not clear, but it is likely that a marked increase in cigarette consumption has greatly contributed to it. In Japan, cigarette consumption has been decreasing slightly in recent years and the percentage of smokers among adult males has decreased from the highest, 83.7%, in 1966 to 65.5% in 1984. However, lung cancer mortality is still increasing, although the rate of increase has been getting smaller among middle to young age groups in recent years. To prevent further increase in lung cancer and to prevent other tobacco-related diseases, much stronger smoking control measures are necessary in Japan.