Relatively low numbers of malignant mesotheliomas have been reported from Eastern Asia. In order toexplore the causes of this fact, the available data on mesothelioma incidence/mortality in five countries (Japan,South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore) were reviewed. Data on the industrial histories of the abovecountries were also examined. Mesothelioma incidence was low, despite a history of high shipbuilding and portactivities, in which heavy exposure to asbestos generally has occurred. Underestimation of mesothelioma couldpartly explain the above discrepancy. Moreover, in some areas a sufficient latency period for mesotheliomadevelopment may have not yet elapsed, due to recent industrialization. However, other possibilities have to beconsidered. The cancer epidemiology in Eastern Asia differs deeply from that seen in Western countries, anindication of differences in etiologic factors of cancer as well as in co-factors. In addition, the oncogenic spectrumof asbestos is wide, and not completely defined. In a very different milieu from that of Western countries, asbestoscould preferentially hit targets other than serosal membranes.
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