Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a risk factor for gastric cancer (GC). The International Agency for Research on Cancer has recommended population-based screening and eradication of H. pylori for GC control [1]. In Japan, H. pylori eradication therapy was approved for patients with chronic gastritis by Japanese health insurance in February 2013. According to the latest statistical data, the present study examined the short-term effect of insurance coverage expansion on GC incidence.