The rate of diabetes is higher in rural areas, where people exercise less and are more likely to use vehicles even when going a short distance, than in the Tokyo metropolitan area, according to a recent study by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry.
At 262 people per population of 100,000, Tokushima Prefecture led the nation in 2005 in the number of diabetes outpatients visiting hospitals and clinics. The prefecture also had the highest rate of death from diabetes for 13 years in a row through 2005.
"The obesity rate of adults is higher than the national average, and they take 1,000 fewer steps while walking per day than the national average," a Tokushima official said.