Abstract: The somatometric data of 25 Asian populations were analyzed with multivariate statistic methods. Two big population branches can be identified according to their different physical characters. NE Asian populations of China, Korea and Japan form one branch; all SE Asians belong to the other. The South Asian peoples of India, Sri Lanka and Nepal have closer relationship with SE Asians but still show their own distinctiveness. The populations in Japanese archipelago have two physical types. The main islanders have closer affinity with NE Asians while all the isolated populations including Ainu and Ryukyu islanders possess the similar physical characters as SE Asians. The aboriginals of Taiwan also show closer relationship with SE Asians. The authors believe the results of present study support the opinions on population relationship of Asia offered by Brace and Turner. Also some of their theories were discussed here.

Key words: Asia; Human population; Affinity; Somatometry