The number of deaths from coronary artery disease has increased from 1969 to1982 in Japan. The age-adjusted death rats from coronary artery have decreased through this period. This change was considered to have been contributed by the change of constituent of population, the increasing number of elder people susceptible to fatal coronary artery disease. The characteristics of low mortality from coronary artery disease and the declining mortality were discussed in relation to the change of major risk factors.