A number of characteristics, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and childhood location and educational attainment were compared for their effects on mortality in the apan Collaborative Cohort Study (JACC Study). The lowest body mass index was associated with a higher risk of death overall in both sexes, but the highest body mass index was also associated with a rise in risk in females. A low BMI was also linked with certain cancers, for example in the lung and oesophagus. A higher body mass index was associated with a higher risk of death due to ischemic heart disease. High blood pressure was also adversely linked to mortality, especially from ischemic heart and cerebrovascular diseases. The childhood environment also appeared to play a role, living in a city being associated with higher risk of mortality overall and from cancer. A high educational level was found to decrease the risk of total death and of cancer, particularly the lung and liver.