The effect size for rs12571751 in this study (OR = 1.12) was comparable with those for the previously reported type 2 diabetes loci in Japanese populations [36], but not as large as that of TCF7L2 (OR = 1.51) or KCNQ1 (OR = 1.42) (S6 Table). Here, KCNQ1 is linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus.