['To examine the nonlinear association of higher-level functional capacity with the incidence of falls.', 'We analyzed the cross-sectional data of Minamifurano-town Aging Study. Seven hundred forty-three noninstitutionalized older persons aged 65 yrs or older were mailed a self-administered questionnaire in June 2002 in which they were asked the incidence of falls in the past year and their higher-level functional capacity according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology (TMIG) index of competence. The association of higher-level functional capacity with the incidence of falls was examined using linear, polynomial, and nonparametric logistic regression models.', 'Under the assumption of a nonlinear function, the quadratic function and the smoothing function provided a significant improvement of the fit compared with the linear model in women but not men.'] Does nonlinear association of higher-level functional capacity with the incidence of fall in Japan?