Population registries and other record resources for epidemiologic cancer research in the United States and Japan.

On the basis of the author's experience in epidemiologic studies on cancer in both the United States and Japan for the last 15 years, advantages and disadvantages of various record systems that can be utilized for epidemiologic cancer studies in these two countries are compared. Both countries are equally well provided with vital statistics and census records. Descriptive studies can be conducted without difficulties in both countries. For analytic studies, the Koseki record or family registration system in Japan provides an excellent tool in tracing subjects. However, Japanese record systems have problems as to management of hospital records, preservation of death certificates, etc. On the whole, restrospective cohort studies, particularly studies on patients, are more difficult in Japan than in the United States. There appear to be no material differences between these two countires as to case-control studies.