We conducted a community-based interview survey of a random sample of residents aged 20 years or older in an urban community in Japan using the University of Michigan Version of the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview for selected mood and anxiety disorders and alcohol abuse/dependence according to DSM-III-R. The final sample consisted of 1029 respondents (response rate, 57%). The lifetime and 6-month prevalences of selected mood, anxiety and alcohol use disorders were low in general. Alcohol abuse/dependence was more prevalent in men than in women. Younger respondents had a greater risk of generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol dependence. A greater risk of mood, anxiety and alcohol use disorders was observed among a recent birth cohort. We confirmed a lower prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorders in a community population in Japan than in Western countries, observations that were similar to previous ones in East-Asian countries. The patterns of demographic correlates and comorbidity are similar to those of most other countries. © 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.