Cancer and Other Causes of Death among Koreans in Fukuoka, Japan, 1976–1986

Abstract

Mortalities from cancer and other causes among Koreans living in Fukuoka, Japan, between 1976 and 1986 were examined as compared with those of Japanese in the prefecture. Korean males had a marked excess in all‐cause mortality, while the excess among females was less prominent. In both sexes, mortalities from liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, accident and suicide were markedly increased in the Korean population. These findings are in agreement with those observed among Koreans in Osaka. Although 20–30% lower‐than‐Japanese mortality from stomach cancer has been reported for Koreans in Osaka, those in Fukuoka had a risk of this cancer comparable to that of Japanese. A life‐style survey of Koreans in Japan might provide a better understanding of the disease patterns observed in this population.