HPV vaccination in Japan
HPV vaccination programme in Japan with suspension and recovery.
In Japan, the HPV vaccine is part of the national routine immunization program, which is required by law but run and paid for by local governments. The program aims to prevent cervical cancer and other diseases linked to the virus. Its history includes a major shift: routine shots began in 2013, but later that year the government stopped actively recommending the vaccine due to safety worries. This suspension lasted until 2021. After that, the program began to recover.
The vaccine is offered for free to girls from around sixth grade through the first year of high school. If they start before age 15, they usually get two doses; starting at 15 or older means three doses. As of 2025, the 9-valent Gardasil 9 is the primary vaccine used in the routine program.
The suspension caused a steep drop in vaccination rates and caught global attention, as Japan became the only wealthy country to stop routine vaccine recommendations for such a long time. If coverage doesn’t return to pre-suspension levels, experts predict thousands of extra cervical cancer cases and deaths.
A large study in Nagoya found no clear link between the HPV vaccine and 24 reported symptoms after vaccination. The World Health Organization and other international health groups confirmed the vaccine’s safety and urged Japan to restart its active recommendations. Cervical cancer remained a serious public health issue in Japan, with new cases and deaths staying roughly the same for decades—unlike the declines seen in many other developed nations.
After the government resumed active recommendations in April 2022, vaccination coverage slowly improved through both routine shots and catch-up programs for those who missed out. By 2024, some prefectures had first-dose coverage above 70%, though big regional differences remained.
**Background**
Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in young women in Japan. Each year, over 10,000 women are diagnosed, and about 3,000 die from it. Around 1,000 women under 40 lose their fertility each year due to treatment. In 2021, there were 10,690 new cases, and in 2024, 2,751 deaths. These numbers have barely changed in 30 years, unlike in the U.S., U.K., Europe, and Australia, where rates have fallen.
Quick Facts
- Uses
- Prevention of cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers
- Specialty
- Preventive medicine, public health
- Approach
- Routine and catch-up vaccination
- Frequency
- 2 or 3 doses, depending on age at first dose
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The programme was introduced in 2013 but faced an eight-year suspension of proactive recommendations from 2013 to 2021 due to safety concerns. This suspension led to a sharp decline in vaccination rates and drew international attention, as Japan became the only high-income country to halt routine vaccine recommendations for an extended period. A large-scale epidemiological study in Nagoya found no significant association between HPV vaccination and 24 reported post-vaccination symptoms, and international health organizations, including the World Health Organization, affirmed the vaccine's safety profile and called for Japan to resume proactive recommendations.
Reader's Guide
The suspension of proactive recommendations is projected to lead to thousands of additional cervical cancer cases and deaths if vaccination coverage does not recover to pre-suspension levels. Cervical cancer remained a major public health issue in Japan, with new cases and mortality largely unchanged for decades, unlike declines seen in many other developed countries. Following the resumption of proactive government recommendations in April 2022, vaccination coverage has gradually recovered through both routine immunization and catch-up vaccination. As of 2024, first-dose coverage exceeded 70% in some prefectures, although substantial regional disparities remain. The programme's history highlights the impact of vaccine hesitancy and the importance of sustained public health recommendations.
Did You Know?
- Since April 2026, the 9-valent vaccine Gardasil 9 has been the only HPV vaccine used in the routine programme in Japan.
- First-dose coverage exceeded 70% in some prefectures as of 2024, though regional disparities remain.
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