OBJECTIVES: Utility data are essential for cost-effectiveness analyses, especially with the introduction of HTA in Japan in 2016. Given a paucity of information regarding the availability of data and related research methodologies used in Japan, this study aims to present a comprehensive literature review regarding utility assessment in Japan. METHODS:  MEDLINE® (English) and Ichushi (Japanese) were searched to understand where the utilities were derived. Search terms included Utility OR health state preference OR 効用値 OR QALY OR 質調整生存年 [Title/Abstract] and all articles published before November 30, 2013 were reviewed.  Articles were required to detail the methods for utility development or selection, and needed to be based in Japan. They were also required to focus on the assessment of utilities or be part of a cost-effectiveness analysis.  RESULTS: A total of 247 manuscripts were found after removing duplicates. From these, 138 were included in the full text review and 100 were selected for analysis. The number of studies increased from 1 manuscript in 2000 to a total of 16 in 2012 and 6 in 2013. 70 articles were cost-effectiveness analysis. 50 articles cited utility values from previous or overseas studies. Among original utility measurement studies EQ-5D and TTO were the most frequently used methods. Different utility measurement tools yielded different results and there was little consistency in the ranking of utilities derived via various elicitation methods. While the most commonly studied population was patients, similar results were reported between patients and medical professionals. Caregivers tended to give higher utility scores. CONCLUSIONS:   Despite an increasing trend of research on utility assessment in Japan, many studies still cite values from previous or overseas studies.  The original studies focusing on utility measurement used various elicitation methods, revealing the impact of study population on utility values.