Country

Japan

Updated: September 2025

Mpox
Bird Flu
COVID-19
Pandemic Preparedness

MPOX

Mpox, clade II, was first detected in July 2022. Local transmission has been documented since then.

The first detection of clade I mpox was reported in September 2025.

Vaccination is only available through clinical studies at a few designated hospitals and is used for close contacts of mpox cases.

Mpox is classified as a "Category IV" infection - with no restrictions on movement.

Website: Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare Mpox Page.

Bird flu

H5N1 was first detected in Japan in December 2003. Outbreaks have been reported in poultry and wild birds affecting several prefectures. In April 2022, a mammal in Sapporo, Hokkaido tested positive for H5N1.
H5N6 was first confirmed in November 2016.
H5N8 was first confirmed in April 2014.
H5N2 was first confirmed in January 2023
H5N5 was first confirmed in December 2023.

Human cases of bird flu

Bird flu antibodies were detected in five people in December 2004. All were involved in control efforts among birds during the outbreak in Kyoto in February 2004. These cases are NOT included in the World Health Organization's human case count of H5N1.

COVID-19

The first imported of COVID-19 were identified in mid-January 2020.

Hotline: The COVID-19 hotline is 0120 565 653. The Coronavirus Vaccination Call Centre is available by calling 0120 761 770 (domestic) or (+81)50 3734 0348 (international).

Webistes: See the COVID-19 page from the Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare, and the national COVID-19 summary statistics for the latest updates. View the dashboard from WHO.