A short report is given on the development of diagnostics of early gastric cancers, whereby it is especially referred to the importance of the Japanese investigations of this phenomenon. The notion of the early carcinoma for gastric carcinomata which have affected only the mucous membrane or only in a slight degree the submucosa is widespread. But it contains a notion of time which is falsely presumed. As we at present do not certainly know, whether the early gastric carcinomata, all over the world known as "early cancer", really could not fail in developing to advanced gastric carcinomata, the name "early" carcinoma is questionable. Concerning this question further investigations are necessary, which should be directed to the definition of a risk group of gastric cancer. Finally is reported on own results in the diagnosis of 12 early gastric cancers.