Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies in Asia. The annual incidence in both Japan and South Korea exceeds 30 cases per 100,000 and is predicted to continue increasing. This special issue explores the feasibility of delaying or preventing the occurrence and recurrence of human hepatocarcinogenesis in Asian countries, especially in Japan and South Korea. The underlying cause of HCC is different in these two countries: whereas in Japan up to 15 per cent of the cases are caused by HBV infection and 80 per cent by HCV infection, the corresponding figures in South Korea are 70 per cent and 20 per cent. Recent data have shown that interferon (IFN) treatment is effective in delaying or preventing the occurrence and recurrence of HCC attributed to HCV infection. A randomized control study has demonstrated that the administration of IFN or acyclic retinoid significantly reduces the incidence of secondary HCC in patients who undergo curative removal of the primary HCC. Nevertheless, IFN and lamivudine therapy for the prevention of HCC in hepatitis B remain to be elucidated. Providing a broad range of state-of-the-art articles, this publication will be of benefit to clinicians and investigators working in the areas of hepatology, viral hepatitis and gastroenterology.