The number of prefectural target indicators that match national targets of Health Japan 21 (the second term)

Information on health promotion plans of each prefecture, published by May 31, 2019, was obtained from the website of each local government.⁽¹⁾

Best 5 prefectures for the number of target indicators

The prefectural targets which were established by all 47 prefectures.

• Decrease in mean salt intake

  →Salt reduction may be considered as an important indicator, owing to the association with hypertension and the risk of heart diseases^(2,3),which is the second prominent cause of mortality in Japan⁽⁴⁾.

• Increase in consumption of vegetables and fruits

  →It has not been achieved yet, although it is a target of Health Japan 21 (the second term). No significant change in consumption of vegetables from 2008 to 2018 in Japanese⁽⁵⁾may be the reason for setting the indicator.

• Reduction in percentage of individuals who do not take rest through sufficient sleep.

  →It has not been achieved yet, although it is a target of Health Japan 21 (the second term).
  It may be considered as an important indicator, owing to a significant increase in percentage of individuals who do not take rest through sufficient sleep between 2008 and 2018 in Japanese⁽⁵⁾.

• Reduction in percentage of adult smoking rate (quit smoking among smokers who want to quit smoking)

  →The national government enhance the measures to prevent passive smoking and to support smoking cessation, as Japan signed WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2004.