2018 Volume 67 Issue 5 Pages 434-442
The International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) was originally adopted in 1900. It has been implemented in Japan since that time and applied to various statistical studies, including mortality statistics. In Japan, the “Statistical classification of diseases, injuries and causes of death” is stipulated as a statistical standard under the Statistics Act and is applied to producing official statistics, including Vital Statistics and Patient Statistics, and is used in management of medical records in medical institutions.
With global aging, where Japan especially is entering a high-mortality society, it is important to prepare effectively by constructing a sustainable health and medical system. A foundation of statistics and information constitutes the basis of this and its maintenance and utilization will become even more required, while the newly ICD-11 and related international classifications are expected to fulfil its role to assist such a framework. From now on, we would like to verify the legal-system issues and the usage environment in cooperation with stakeholders and work toward smooth implementation in Japan.
