A history of the cancer registration system in Japan

Abstract

In Japan, the first actual survey of morbidity from cancer was conducted by Dr. Mitsuo Segi in Miyagi Prefecture from 1951 to 1953. Population-based cancer registries were started in 1957 in Hiroshima and 1958 in Nagasaki for the follow-up of survivors of the atomic bombings. Public population-based cancer registries, under the cancer control programs of the prefectural governments, were started in Aichi and Osaka prefectures in 1962. After the Law on Health and Medical Services for the Aged was enacted in 1983, population-based cancer registries were initiated promptly in many prefectures. As of 2007, there were population-based cancer registries in 35 of Japan’s 47 prefectures and in one city. The Research Group for Population-Based Cancer Registration in Japan was organized by Dr. Isaburo Fujimoto, the chairperson in 1975, with a grant-in-aid from the National Cancer Research Promotion Program. This research group has continued until now and has been making continuous efforts. To promote standardization of the registry process and to improve the quality of registry data, the Japanese Association of Cancer Registries (JACR) was organized in 1992. The Japanese government Third-Term 10-Year Comprehensive Strategy for Cancer Control was launched in 2004, with the slogan “Targeting a drastic reduction in cancer morbidity and mortality.” This strategy includes not only promoting cancer research but also promoting cancer prevention, improving the quality of cancer care, promoting social support systems, and promoting effective systems for monitoring cancer incidence and survival.