No. of Measles Patients Already Reaches 100 in Japan in 2026; Ministry Alerts Those Traveling Overseas

The Yomiuri Shimbun

17:12 JST, March 18, 2026

The number of people who contracted measles this year reached 100 as of March 8, according to preliminary figures announced Tuesday by the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS).

This is the second highest number at this stage in the past 10 years, after 2019.

It is believed that the patients contracted the disease while staying in areas experiencing outbreaks overseas and developed symptoms after returning to Japan. The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry is warning those planning to travel abroad about the disease.

When a person becomes infected with the measles virus, they develop symptoms such as fever and rash. The disease is highly contagious and can be fatal if the patients develop pneumonia or severe brain inflammation.

By prefecture, Tokyo had the most people who contracted measles this year with 19, followed by Aichi Prefecture with 18 and both Kanagawa and Niigata prefectures with 10. In Aichi Prefecture, a group of people got infected at a high school in February.

Vaccination is an effective way to prevent measles. Publicly funded routine vaccinations are available twice for children, once at age 1 and another at preschool age. According to the ministry, the vaccination rate has been on a declining trend since the COVID-19 pandemic. In fiscal 2024, the vaccination rate was 93% for the first round and 91% for the second.

“I hope that people planning trips to areas experiencing outbreaks will check their vaccination history and get vaccinated, if necessary,” said Tomimasa Sunagawa of JIHS.

Web: No. of Measles Patients Already Reaches 100 in Japan in 2026; Ministry Alerts Those Traveling Overseas