Objectives　This study clarified the health status of foreign nationals residing in Japan by comparing their current mortality rates with those of the Japanese population.

Methods　We focused on foreign national residents and used official statistical data from 2010. Due to the possible overestimation of published death rates (PDRs), we computed calculated death rates (CDRs) for foreign national residents, using the number of registered foreign national residents as the denominator. We obtained this number from the Statistics on Foreign National Residents provided by the Ministry of Justice.

Results　The all-cause age-adjusted mortality rates (per 100,000 population) of foreign national residents were 571.5 for men and 316.1 for women. The ratios with reference to the mortality rates of the Japanese population were 1.1 and 1.0 for men and women, respectively, indicating that the age-adjusted mortality rates for foreign national residents were similar to those of the Japanese population. However, the rate ratios by age group were 0.3-0.5 for those aged 20-34 years, 0.6-1.0 for those aged 35-59 years, and 1.0-1.4 for those aged ≥60 years, suggesting that the mortality rate of foreign national residents increases with age when compared to that of the Japanese population. Although the foreign population are thought to be disadvantaged in many ways, the mortality rates of the young and middle-aged groups were lower than those of the Japanese population. A similar tendency was observed in the cause-specific mortality rates of the young and middle-aged groups of foreign national residents, except the rates of mortality due to accidents and suicide in the middle-aged group, which were higher than those of the Japanese population. In those aged ≥60 years, the mortality rates were higher than those of the Japanese population overall, especially the mortality rates due to suicide.

Conclusion　These results suggest that young and middle-aged foreign national residents are relatively healthy and that a healthy migrant effect exists in Japan. Because this health advantage may either decrease or converge with that of the native population after long-term residence as a previous research reported; without intervention, these lower mortality rates in the young and middle-aged foreign national residents may eventually increase or even exceed those of the Japanese population. More attention should be paid to middle-aged foreign national residents who have higher rates of mortality due to accidents and suicide as well as foreign national residents aged ≥60 years, who have an extremely high mortality rates due to suicide. Although overestimations and underestimations are still possible, CDRs are considered more appropriate than PDRs, since the impact is smaller. Future investigations should focus on the healthy migrant effect in Japan in order to address current and upcoming health issues among foreign national residents.

Objectives　To clarify the characteristics of shift workers’ drinking habits, as well as factors related to their drinking problems, and obtain an insight into the early detection of such problems and appropriate interventions.

Methods　An anonymous self-completed questionnaire survey was conducted involving all employees of a factory. All the shift workers were male. Considering the sex differences, we excluded daytime female workers from the study. The number of participants was 230. The questionnaire inquired the presence or absence of drinking problems, drinking habits, and factors related to these problems. We analyzed the relationship between shift work and drinking problems, shift work and each drinking habit, and drinking problems and each drinking habit. Binomial logistic regression analysis using the backward elimination method was conducted, with “the presence/absence of alcohol related problems” as the dependent variable, and variables showing the value of P<0.20 through univariate analysis as independent variables, with age, inputted simultaneously.

Results　The drinking habits of shift workers compared to daytime workers were characterized by a significantly higher percentage of those drinking “at home” (P=0.037). In addition, compared with daytime workers, shift workers showed a significantly higher percentage of those reporting a “desire to sleep well” as the reason for drinking (P=0.006), and a significantly higher percentage of those having a nightcap (P<0.001). Significant correlations were seen between increased risk of drinking problems and “having a nightcap” (OR 6.38, 95%CI: 2.11-19.29, P=0.001) as well as “having a heavy physical job stress burden” (OR 2.24, 95%CI: 1.11-4.51, P=0.024). On the other hand, “receiving support from family and friends” had a significant correlation with a reduced risk of drinking problems (OR 0.75, 95%CI:0.58-0.97, P=0.030).

Conclusions　Characteristics of male shift workers’ drinking habits and factors related to drinking problems indicated that the drinking habits of shift workers compared to daytime workers were characterized by a significantly higher percentage of those drinking “at home” and “having a nightcap”. “Having a nightcap” and “having a heavy physical burden” were correlated with an increased risk of drinking problems in male shift workers, whereas “support from family and friends” was correlated with a reduced risk of drinking problems. It is considered important to understand difficulties in falling asleep after working the night shift and to support coping behaviors other than drinking. Furthermore, elucidation of the importance of support from friends and family is necessary.

Objectives　Creating a healthy food environment is crucial for healthful longevity in Japan. This study aimed to provide an overview of the status and challenges related to creating that environment through prefectural public health centers.

Methods　Public health dieticians working at 489 prefectural public health centers in March 2015 individually completed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Berelson's content analysis was utilized for response analysis.

Results　Data from 359 (response rate: 74.3%) prefectural public health centers, involving 599 public health dieticians, were included in the analysis. More than 80% of the prefectural public health centers implemented a registration system for dining facilities such as restaurants. Furthermore, greater than 80% of the public health dietitians thought that creating a healthy food environment was an important aspect of their work mission. On the other hand, more than 50% of these dieticians expressed dissatisfaction in their role. In terms of evaluation, the public health centers only monitored the number of registered facilities, with few other evaluations conducted. Approximately 80% of the participants requested national guidelines and/or some legal support from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare and/or the prefectural administration.

Conclusion　This study demonstrated that there are challenges related to creating a healthy food environment through prefectural health centers. Improving the evaluation methods and government/administrative provision of national guidelines and/or legal supports were identified as courses of action.