OBJECTIVES: To assess the measurement properties and validity of Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) Japanese version for stroke patients in Japan. METHODS: The HUI3 was administered 553 patients with stroke who were admitted in seven hospitals. Proxies of the patients completed Japanese version of the HUI3 questionnaires at start phase of rehabilitation. Patients were categorized using modified Rankin scale (MRS). The construct validity was assessed by analyzing the degree to which lower score on the HUI3 scores correlated positively with MRS. RESULTS: Mean global score was as follows: MRS 1=0.62 (SD=0.22), MRS 2=0.48 (SD=0.28), MRS 3=0.27 (SD=0.24), MRS 4=0.00 (SD=0.18), MRS 5= -0.23 (SD=0.11). Worst mean single score was ambulation (0.29) and, subsequently cognition (0.49), and dexterity (0.58). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate the productive future for Japanese HUI3 use and showed precise measuring properties of the HUI3 Japanese version in assessing health status for stroke patients.