A retrospective follow-up study was conducted to investigate the effects of work conditions on mortality. Mortality rates among male employees aged 40-60 years in the Japanese steel industry were calculated for separate work condition factors, such as job site location (parent company or subsidiary company), job category (white-collar or blue-collar) and work schedule (day work or shift work). Odds ratios were calculated to evaluate the independent effects of work condition factors on mortality using a logistic regression method. Death certificates and demographic statistics, 1991-1995, from the annual personnel reports of the employees which had been compiled and preserved by the company, were utilized. There were 19,642 employees in April, 1991, and 171 deaths and 76,761.7 person-years were observed. No work condition factors were associated with the mortality rates. Selection bias was speculated from the findings. Since there is a thorough medical checkup system at this company, the employees identified with serious health problems would probably already have been excluded as potential candidates for transferring to subsidiaries or for work schedule changes. These findings and the interpretation were consistent with those of other reports which have been conducted in Japanese industrial fields. Mortality was not an appropriate indicator for assessing health risks in the occupational environment, but it reflects the real status of health care management. Through careful interpretation it has been suggested that there is a possibility that past health care work conditions activity can be accessed.

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The differences in awareness of the aged society were evaluated by the AHP technique among 48 citizens, 7 public health nurses, and 2 general clerks of O-Public Health Center in Fukuoka. As evaluating criteria, citizens laid stress on "Health", "Economic status", "Family"; general clerks on "Health", "Family", and "Autonomy of the aged"; public health nurses on "Health", "Economic status", and "Autonomy of the aged". While the citizens evaluated "health promotion" as the most important strategy in the aged society, the other two groups considered "sufficient pension" as the most important. "In-home services" was regarded as the lowest priority by all three groups.

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Health needs of the people of Japan are diversified, and today's nursing is required to display expert functions which exceed the borders of health prevention, medical service, and welfare. Nursing education, which has recently become a four-year university course, has as its purpose the development of its specialities and science, and a systematization of them. Most nursing researchers attempt to develop nursing models from the traditional medical model, and intend to apply the nursing model to their social responsibilities and practices of nursing.

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Matrix-degrading enzymes, matrix metalloproteinases, are members of a unique family of Zinc-binding endopeptidases that are responsible for the metabolism of extracellular components in the tissue stroma. Their controlled expression is essential for normal processes such as wound healing and tissue remodeling, including embryogenesis. However, in many pathological conditions and events such as metastasis of malignant tumors and rheumatoid arthritis, the uncontrolled expression is evident.

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Recently, because international standardization systems have been set up in many fields, it is necessary for Japanese companies to employ persons who have specific knowledge and techniques in regards to occupational health and safety. In this paper, therefore, we discuss Occupational Health and Safety Practice, Level 4, and try to compare it with Japanese licences. The standard was developed by the Occupational Health and Safety Lead Body (OHSLB) in England. This standard is intended for occupational health and safety practioners working in general health and safety. We conclude that the training system for occupational health and safety practioners in Japan must be developed more fully.

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