A year ago, we reported on the rising tide of interest and activity in tobacco control in Japan, set against the continuing reluctance of the government, majority owner of the world’s third largest tobacco company, to take effective action (see Tobacco Control 2003;12:8–10). We also noted the tragedy of Japan having to repeat the grim cycle of recruitment to smoking of its women, who until a mere quarter century ago were almost entirely non-smoking. It was in connection with smoking Japanese women and the …