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Objective: Children's mood when they wake up is closely related to their physical and social issues. The purpose of this study is to clarify the factors for negative feeling on awakening among seventh grade in a rural area in Japan. Design: A cross-sectional study among seventh grade students in rural Japan. Methods: Between 2012 and 2014, 588 seventh-grade students (boys: 299, girls: 289) in rural Japan were recruited as subjects. Of them, 504 with eligible responses (boys: 252, girls: 252) were finally included in the study (response rate 85.7%). A questionnaire survey concerning mood upon awakening, sleep, and psychosocial factors was conducted. Both the physical examination findings and blood test results of students were also included in the data. Chi-squared tests, the student t-tests, and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze children's mood at awakening in this study. Results: Among boys, the group with a negative awakening mood woke up later and ate breakfast less often than the group with a positive awakening mood; the differences were statistically significant. Among girls, subjects in the group with a negative awakening mood went to bed later, had a shorter sleeping time, and ate breakfast less frequently than those in the group with a positive awakening mood; these differences were also statistically significant. With regard to psychosocial factors, those with a negative awakening mood showed more affection for both themselves and their friends, acknowledging individuals' positive attributes more than those with a positive awakening mood in both genders, and those showing more affection for their family among boys. We found that girls with negative awakening moods tended to have more difficulties in getting along with friends, but there were no significant relationship between negative awakening moods and other variables among boys. Conclusions: Our results suggest that improving awakening mood may lead to healthy friendships among seventh grade students in rural Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Glaucoma is one of the major causes of blindness, but its prevalence varies with respect to gender, age and ethnicity. While the increased intraocular pressure of glaucoma damages the optic nerve and creates vision defects, recent studies have also begun to examine "normal" tension glaucoma. Methods: Between 1990 and 1993, glaucoma screenings of 3,244 residents aged 20 years or older were performed as part of a community mass health screening in the rural town of Sakurae, Shimane Prefecture. Glaucoma screenings included medical interviews, tonometry and funduscopy. Glaucoma was assessed by specialists in thorough examinations. Results: A total of 1,886 residents underwent glaucoma screenings. A total of 12 had a past history of glaucoma, and thus tonometry and/or fundus test was performed in the remaining 1,874 residents (770 men, 1,104 women). A total of 251 residents met the criteria to undergo thorough examinations, and 136 residents (54.2%) underwent these exams. Sixty-eight residents were diagnosed with glaucoma. Therefore, of 1,886 residents, a total of 80 residents had glaucoma (overall prevalence: 4.2%). There were no gender differences in prevalence (4.5% men, 4.0% women), and prevalence increased with age in both men and women (p < 0.001). Both tonometry and funduscopywere performed in 3,555 eyes. The proportion of glaucomatous fundus change for lower intraocular pressure eyes was 7.8%; that for high-pressure eyes was significantly higher at 11.2% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of glaucoma increases significantly with age, but no marked gender differences were observed in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To clarify the relationship between parenting stress and anxiety in mothers and fathers of children in nursery school. Methods: 1. Self-administered questionnaires were given to parents of 803 children attending one of 11 nursery schools. 2. The survey period was from April 2008 to February 2010. Questionnaire items were sex, age, the Japanese version of the Parenting Stress Index (PSI), and the new version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-JYZ (STAI-JYZ). Results: 1. The questionnaire response rate was 60.5%. Excluding those with missing values for sex or age, analysis was conducted on 792 responses (from 337 fathers and 455 mothers). 2. Comparisons of PSI scale and STAI-JYZ scale scores separately for mothers and fathers revealed the following: a) Looking at the PSI, fathers had significantly higher scores than mothers in the child-domain stress subscales of infrequent reinforcement of parent and easy distractibility of child. Mothers had significantly higher scores in the parent-domain stress subscales of spouse relationship, despondency after hospital discharge, and health, b) Mothers had significantly higher scores than fathers on the trait anxiety scale of the STAI-JYZ. 3. Multiple regression analysis revealed associations between the trait anxiety scale score and all subscale items in the PSI for mothers and many subscale items in the PSI for fathers. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that parenting stress is associated particularly with trait anxiety in mothers and fathers of children in nursery school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and materials and methods: Trends related to missing persons and their motives for going missing in Japan must be examined in detail, and measures must be formulated to prevent those people from going missing. This study examined the total number of missing persons in Japan from 2004 to 2013 and also examined the number of missing persons by age group and their reason/motive for going missing from 2007-2008 and from 2012-2013. This study then compared the two periods and explored the urgently needed preventative measures based on the results of that comparison. Results and conclusion: In total, there were fewer than 90,000 missing persons in 2006, representing a decrease in the number of missing persons from previous years. That figure has tended to remain constant since 2006. Recent events have indicated that measures to prevent people from going missing need to focus on persons "age 70 or over" and those with "illness-related" problems, "dementia" in particular. In addition, measures to prevent "juveniles and adolescents" and people with "family-related" problems from going missing are also needed. Once the public and the community are aware of this situation, specific measures should be devised to deal with it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background, Materials and Methods: Eight years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake that struck on March 11, 2011. Herein we examined the numerical data in Japan today on 'the dead', 'the missing', 'earthquake-related deaths', and 'evacuees'. Our findings reveal important lessons regarding the response to a large-scale earthquake. Results and Conclusion: The Earthquake caused a total of over 20,000 dead, missing, and earthquake-related deaths as well as massive damage. Deaths related to the earthquake are still occurring today. Further efforts must be made by individual agencies and organizations related to disaster responses, and these agencies and organizations must coordinate and cooperate to implement additional measures to deal with the short-and long-term aftermaths of future earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The annual number of suicides in Japan rapidly increased to over 30,000 in 1998. Detailed and precise identification of the factors for the abrupt increase in suicides in 1998 may help create effective suicide prevention measures. We focused on the number of suicides in years before and after an abrupt increase in suicides and the proportion of individuals who were unemployed fora prolonged period. Materials and Methods: We examined the number of suicides and suicide rates in Japan during 1994-1996 and 1999-2001, and we also examined the number of unemployed in Japan from the February of each year during 1994-1996 and 1999-2001. We compared the suicide rates during 1994-1996 and 1999-2001, and we compared the proportion of individuals who were unemployed for less than 6 months to the proportion of individuals w ho were unemployed for 6 months or longer. Results and Conclusion: The years 1999-2001 had both a higher mortality rate due to suicide and a higher proportion of individuals who were unemployed for 6 months or longer compared to 1994-1996. Measures to deal with various suicide-related issues are needed in Japan, and the current findings may contribute to the creation of these measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Japanese suicide rate has decreased over the past few years, but the rate still remains high in comparison to the rest of the world. Thus, Japan cannot be content with implementing current suicide prevention measures; additional suicide prevention measures should be devised. Materials and Methods: We compared suicide rates among sex and age groups in Japan and Hungary, both of which have a high suicide rate. We focused on individuals overall and on individuals ages 5-14, 15-24, and 25-34 years. Based on the results of our analyses, we discuss suicide prevention measures for Japanese individuals in this age range. Results: Hungary has a somewhat higher overall suicide rate among males than Japan. The overall suicide rate among females is high in both Japan and Hungary, but Japan has a higher suicide rate among both males and females ages 5-14, 15-24, and 25-34. Conclusion: Japanese suicide prevention measures targeting younger generations must be devised. Preventive measures need to be examined from various perspectives and implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Japan has experienced many large earthquakes. In fact Japan is considered one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. A large quake occurred on June 18, 2018, in northern Osaka Prefecture. Osaka Prefecture is one of Japan's larger prefectures, and this earthquake highlighted the issue of urban earthquakes. Materials and Methods: Here, we describe events that transpired during the northern Osaka Prefecture Earthquake. Based on what happened, we also discuss future measures for dealing with urban earthquakes. Results: We found that the earthquake revealed important measures that are needed during the initial and intermediate response to future urban earthquakes. Conclusion: We concluded that government agencies, the medical establishment, transportation services, other entities, and the public must consider and work together to implement measures to deal with urban earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction, and Materials and Methods: Over the past few years, drug items have become the major social problem tne world over. Drug items are the persistent problem. Japan is no stranger to the problem of drug items, and effective measures are urgently needed to prevent that problem. This study examined the number of people arrested for drug-related offenses-i.e. offenses related to 'stimulants', 'cannabis', 'narcotics and psychotropic drugs' and 'opium'-in 2009, 2010, 2014, and 2015, and this study calculated the proportion of people who were arrested for offenses related to certain types of drugs. This study also examined the number of repeat 'stimulant' offenders and the recidivism rate for 'stimulant' offenses in the years in question. Trends in these figures in 2009-2010 and in 2014-2015 were compared, and urgent measures needed to prevent drug-related offenses were discussed. Results and Conclusion: A high proportion of the people arrested for drug-related offenses were arrested for stimulant-related offenses in 2009-2010 and in 2014-2015. In addition, the recidivism rate for 'stimulant' related offenses was higher in 2014- 2015 than in 2009-2010. These trends need to be ascertained and administrative agencies, the police, organizations working on measures to prevent the problem of drugs, and local communities need to work in concert to implement measures and efforts to prevent drug-related offenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The suicide rates in Japan are among the highest in the world for both men and women, and increased rapidly in 1998. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss effective and concrete suicide prevention measures. In the present research, we focused on suicide trends and various factors related to retail sales in Tokyo, Japan's capital. Materials and Methods: In the present study, we examined annual suicide rates, days worked, number of staff, and sales floor space in department stores in Tokyo during a 20-year period from 1990-2009, and discussed statistical analysis based on the data. Results and Conclusion: In multiple regression analysis, the suicide rate was significantly related to the number of staff in department stores. Therefore, trends in the number of department store staff may serve as an indicator to watch for changes in suicide trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction, and Materials and Methods: The success of several components of recent measures to prevent traffic accidents is a possible reason for fewer deaths due to traffic accidents in Japan. The current study examined trends in the number of fatalities of vehicle drivers who were primarily at fault in Japan from 2002-2011, and this study examined trends in the number of fatalities of impaired vehicle drivers who were primarily at fault during the same period. This study also statistically analyzed those trends. Results and Conclusion: Results for the period studied indicated that the number of fatalities of impaired vehicle drivers who were primarily at fault was significantly associated with the number of fatalities of vehicle drivers who were primarily at fault. Experts in fields and organizations related to measures against drunk driving and measures to prevent traffic accidents must consider coordinating their efforts when necessary. This will lead to more effective measures against drunk driving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]