Tanaka H, et al. - The intent here was to examine the variations in absolute/relative mortality inequalities across occupations, and the contribution of different diseases to inequalities in tandem with the restructuring of the Japanese economy. The findings disclosed a decrease in the absolute inequality trends in mortality across occupations in both sexes, while relative inequality trends were heterogeneous in Japan. The cerebrovascular disease and suicide served as the main drivers of narrowing and widening mortality inequalities. Future public health efforts would gain an advantage from eliminating residual inequalities in mortality, taking into account the contribution of the causes of death and socioeconomic status stratification.