OBJECTIVES: Hypertension is an established risk factor of cardiovascular disease. However, its impact on disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) is not well known, especially in Japan, which has the top-ranked life expectancy worldwide. METHODS: NIPPON DATA80 and NIPPON DATA90 were two nationwide cohort studies conducted in Japan, in which participants came from random-sample surveys in the years 1980 and 1990. The DFLE of each hypertension group at the age of 60 years was calculated using the Sullivan method. This estimation was based on age-specific mortality rates of each hypertension group, estimated by Poisson regression using NIPPON DATA80, and the disability prevalence of each hypertension group, estimated by logistic regression using NIPPON DATA90. To consider the effect of smoking on DFLE, we set conditions on the smoking status in the regression model. The blood pressure at baseline was used to categorize hypertension (mmHg, systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure): optimal (<120/<80), prehypertension (120–139/80–89), hypertension I (140–159/90–99), and hypertension II (≥160/≥100). The disability prevalence was measured by the Katz activity of daily living scale. RESULTS: Among men/women who never smoked, DFLE (years) at age 60 was 21.1/21.9 for optimal hypertension, 20.9/21.6 for prehypertension, 19.8/20.8 for hypertension I, and 18.9/20.1 for hypertension II. This consistent decrease in hypertension grade was also observed in men and women who were currently smoking: DFLE (years) at age 60 was 19.0/21.0 (optimal), 18.7/20.7 (prehypertension), 17.6/19.9 (hypertension I), and 16.6/19.1 (hypertension II). CONCLUSIONS: In Japan, DFLE decreases as hypertension grade increases. A strategy for reducing hypertension is recommended to expand the DFLE in Japan.