Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify the unique features of Japanese unintentional injury and to consider strategies for injury prevention.

Method Mortality data for unintentional injuries available from Vital Statistics of Japan and the patient survey in 2008 was used, and the rate of hospitalisations and practice visits for unintentional injury was calculated.

Results In 2008, the mortality for unintentional injury was 13.2, the rate for hospitalisations was 441, and the rate for practice visits was 26 838 per 100 000 populations under 1 year old. Among 1–4 years, 3.8 and 423 and 42 850. Among 5-14 years, 2.1 and 452 and 41 907. Among 15–24 years, 8.2 and 834 and 23 405. Among 25–34 years, 7.0 and 549 and 15 578. Among 35–44 years, 8.4 and 530 and 14 255. Among 45–54 years, 13.2 and 624 and 14 229. Among 55-64 years, 22.4 and 861 and 14 666. Among 65-74 years, 44.8 and 1383 and 15 651. Over 75 years, 159.3 and 3872 and 16 074.

Conclusions Though the rate of mortality and hospitalisations among 1–4 and 5–14 year olds groups was lower than the other age groups, the rate of practice visits was higher than the other age groups. Also, it was necessary to pay attention to the mortality for among 65–74 year olds and over 75 year olds, the hospitalisation rates for over 64 year olds.