Number of fatalities Japan 2021, by cause of death

In 2021, the number of fatalities in Japan caused by malignant neoplasms amounted to approximately 381.5 thousand, making cancerous tumors the most common cause of death in Japan. In that year, the total number of deaths in Japan reached more than 1.4 million cases.

Age-related health issues are increasing in Japan

Japan has one of the healthiest populations, with one of the highest average life expectancies worldwide. However, paired with a declining fertility rate, this leads to a demographic shift in the country. Accordingly, the aging population is facing more age-related health issues while the overall number of deaths keeps rising. 
The aging of the population also causes further issues such as labor shortages in several industries, including the healthcare sector, as well as an increasing number of patients in need of long-term care and support. The demographic development will evoke pressure on governmental spending but also bring opportunities for service providers and related industries.

Cancer remains the leading cause of death

Next to malignant neoplasms, several other types of cancer, such as stomach, pancreas, and colon cancer, rank among the leading causes of death in Japan. Even though the overall estimated number of cancer cases has been growing in Japan, the survival chances have been increasing significantly over the past decade.
One of the reasons for the higher survival chances is the rising awareness around the topic, which leads Japanese people to use prevention measures such as cancer screening. Furthermore, there have been advances in the field of medical treatments and medication for cancer. Accordingly, oncology drugs were the pharmaceuticals with the highest production value recently.