OBJECTIVES: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan aims for the introduction of Health Technology Assessment in FY2016. Compared to foreign countries, a lack of resources for conducting the analysis has been pointed out in Japan. However, pharmaceutical and medical device industries are urged to seek practical approaches utilizing best available resources. The objective of this study was to review articles for cost-effectiveness studies of ulcerative colitis (UC) and to evaluate analytical approaches that can be applied to Japanese environment. METHODS: The literature search was conducted in MEDLINE and JDream III. Inclusion criteria are studies of 1) treatment for UC, 2) cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), 3) published in the past 10 years. Studies were assessed for the followings: country, model structure and simulation method, time horizon, perspective, source of key parameters, results, and key drivers determined from sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Nine studies were reviewed in details. Markov (6 articles) and decision tree (2 articles) models were adopted, and time horizon varied from 12 weeks of clinical trial periods to lifetime. Studies additionally considering surgery and treatment costs of colorectal cancer referred to other studies or official medical fees. Utility scores were referred to other studies (9 articles). Disutility of surgery was estimated based on assumptions. Parameters which became key drivers for these analyses varied among studies. CONCLUSIONS: Data collection methods adopted in prior studies were applicable to CEA for UC in Japan. Cost data can be obtained not only from questionnaire survey to doctors but commercial database. Because evidence on utility scores of Japanese population is still limited, further studies will be needed, especially on patients in different phases of UC treatment.