2025-11

A comparison of the latest mortality rankings in Japan and the world reveals a clear difference in the "structure of death" between the two. In Japan, where cancer (malignant neoplasms) has been the number one cause for 43 consecutive years (according to the 2023 statistics from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare), a "longevity-type" mortality structure is evident, notably with senility (old age) surging to the 3rd rank. In contrast, the global ranking, based on WHO and GBD 2023 estimates, is dominated by a "lifestyle disease and infectious disease-type" structure, where Ischemic Heart Disease is the overwhelming number one, and lower respiratory infections and diabetes occupy high ranks. However, the causes of sudden death, such as heart attacks, are nearly identical between Japan and the US, with the post-event survival rate being the major difference.

The latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study for 2023 highlights the world's most critical public health challenges. Of the world's total estimated deaths of over 60 million people, Ischemic Heart Disease (such as myocardial infarction) overwhelmingly ranks first with about 9 million deaths. Together with stroke, these two account for roughly one-quarter of total global deaths. Notably, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) occupy the top seven spots, with their proportion increasing yearly due to aging populations and lifestyle changes. Furthermore, "Sudden Death," which unexpectedly strikes approximately 6-7 million people annually, is caused by cardiovascular disease in over 80% of cases.