title: Health System Development and Performance in Korea and Japan: A Comparative Study of 2000-2013.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Japanese and Korean healthcare systems are very similar and thus, they have the same problems and weaknesses. This study discusses the problems and proposes complementary solutions based on the results of a comparative analysis of conditions in the healthcare systems of the two countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article presents a comparative analysis of the healthcare status of the two countries based on certain health criteria used worldwide, a literature review, and data from the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare, Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The scores of the healthcare systems were calculated for quantitative comparison. The performance of the Japanese health system was the best, followed by the Korean health system. Both countries observed an increased life expectancy and decreased infant and under-five mortality rates during the last 14 years. However, lower fertility rates were found, which could lead to a decreased working population and a subsequent increase in the economic burden of governments and households. A higher alcohol consumption rate was found in Korea, which was related to the establishment of interpersonal relationships.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reform of the healthcare systems in Korea and Japan led to an increased life expectancy; concurrently, reduced fertility rates led to an increasing aging population. As a result, increasing health costs require additional measures to improve health equity and strengthen health promotion.
authors.affiliation: Yonsei Global Health Center, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea; Department of Health Administration, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea; Institute for Poverty and Alleviation and International Development (IPAID), Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Yuliya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dronina
authors.affiliation: Yonsei Global Health Center, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea; Department of Health Administration, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: School of Management, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sakamaki
authors.affiliation: Yonsei Global Health Center, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea; Department of Health Administration, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea; Institute for Poverty and Alleviation and International Development (IPAID), Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Woo
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Nam
keywords: Health insurance; Health status; Healthcare system; Korea and Japan; Lifestyle