Background The purpose of this study is to analyse the unique features of mortality, hospitalizations and out-patient visits due to external causes in Japan and to explore strategies for injury prevention.

Methods The WHO standard population data and data on mortality caused by external causes made available by the Vital Statistics of Japan were used. Also, the rates of hospitalizations and outpatient visits due to unintentional injuries were calculated using the Patient Survey of Japan.

The deaths caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 were removed from the analysis to avoid confounding.

Results Among all ages, the mortality due to external causes was 59.7 per 100,000 populations in 2011. Among 0–14 year olds, the mortality due to external was 3.9 per 100,000 populations. Among 15–44 year olds, the mortality due to external causes was 31.1 per 100,000 populations. Among 45–64 year olds, the mortality due to external causes was 51.1 per 100,000 populations. Among those 65 years or older, the mortality due to external causes was 143.9 per 100,000 populations.

Among all ages, assuming injury death was one, the hospitalizations were 18 and out-patient visits were 286. Among 0–14 year olds, assuming injury death was one, the hospitalizations were 123 and out-patient visits were 9,548. Among 15–44 year olds, assuming injury death was one, the hospitalizations were 20 and out-patient visits were 508. Among 45–64 year olds, assuming injury death was one, the hospitalizations were 15 and out-patient visits were 242. Among those 65 years or older, assuming injury death was one, the hospitalizations were 18 and out-patient visits were 110.

Conclusions Among 0-14 olds, the mortality due to external causes and rate of hospitalizations were lower than another age groups, but rate of out-patient visit was higher.

Among 15–44 year olds and among 45–64 year olds, rate of hospitalisation was higher than children, but rate of out-patient visit was half of them.

Among those 65 years or older, the mortality due to external causes and rate of hospitalizations were higher than another age groups, but rate of out-patient visit was half of children.