Lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise and in some cases, unhealthy eating habits have sparked the diabetes epidemic in Japan. In 1997, the Japanese government estimated that there were 6.9 million cases of diabetes, while there are an estimated 10 million cases in 2017.
Every five years, the health ministry collects data for a health and nutrition survey, and uses this information to predict diabetes trends. The survey has revealed that diabetes is most prevalent in elderly populations and women.