Outline of the System of Social and Demographic Statistics of Japan

1. The System of Social and Demographic Statistics of Japan

The System of Social and Demographic Statistics of Japan is a system in which statistical data in a wide range of fields are collected, normalized and organized. The system describes the life of Japanese people in various fields. The purpose of the system is to provide basic data useful for various kinds of administrative programmes, policy-making and analysis of regional differences. It was started by the Statistics Bureau in fiscal 1976.

What is characteristic of the system is that the data are organized for each of prefectures (To, Do, Fu and Ken) and municipalities (Shi, Ku, Machi and Mura), thus enabling regional comparison and analysis.

2. Basic Data collected in the System

In the system, basic data are collected in 13 fields from "A. Population and Households" to "M.Daily Time", as listed in the Contents. The number of basic data is 4,280 for prefectures, 41 for Shi and Ku, and 1,502 for Shi, Ku, Machi and Mura (as of Fiscal Year 2008).

3. Compilation of the System

The system is compiled by the following process:

(1) Determination of basic data to be collected
(2) Collection of basic data
      - Statistical Data quoted from report books and computer readable media
      - Business Data from organizations (Collected by the Statistics Bureau)
      - Statistical and Business Data (Collected by prefectures)

4. Dissemination of the Data of the System

Data organized in the system are provided in computer readable media and publications.

(1) Computer readable media

• Basic Data by prefecture (MO, CD-R, CD-ROM and magnetic tape time series from 1975)
• Basic Data by municipality ( MO, CD-R and magnetic tape time series from 1980)
• Data in "Social Indicators by Prefecture" (MO, CD-R, floppy disk and magnetic tape)
• Data in "Statistical Observations of Prefectures" (MO, CD-R, floppy disk)
• Data in "Social Observations of Shi, Ku, Machi, Mura" (MO, CD-R, floppy disk)

(2) Publications

• Social Indicators by Prefecture (2008 edition)(bilingual, published annually; 617 social indicators and 567 basic data)
• Statistical Observations of Prefectures (2008 edition)(in Japanese only, published annually; about 459 social indicators (due in the end of February 2008)
• Social Observations of Shi, Ku, Machi, Mura(2007 edition)(in Japanese only, published annually;100 basic data of Shi, Ku, Machi and Mura; 4 basic data of Shi and Ku)

5. References

(1) The Organization and the Use of the System of Social and Demographic Statistics of Japan: March 2001, Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

(2) Definition of Items of the System of Social and Demographic Statistics of Japan: January 2005, Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

((1)-(2) are in Japanese only)