Reported cases of measles in Japan
Japan: Reported cases of measles was 45 Cases in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Reported cases of measles in Japan, 1974–2024
Source: World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in Cases.
Analysis
Japan recorded 45 Cases for reported cases of measles in 2024.
That represents a change of up 650.0% on the previous year and down 90.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, reported cases of measles in Japan peaked at 34,385 Cases in 1978 and was at its lowest, 6 Cases, in 2021.
Japan ranks 93rd of 210 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Reported cases of measles in Japan, year by year
| Year | Cases | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 24,002 Cases | — |
| 1975 | 15,217 Cases | -36.6% |
| 1976 | 31,647 Cases | +108.0% |
| 1977 | 18,051 Cases | -43.0% |
| 1978 | 34,385 Cases | +90.5% |
| 1979 | 18,866 Cases | -45.1% |
| 1980 | 13,219 Cases | -29.9% |
| 1981 | 21,471 Cases | +62.4% |
| 1982 | 6,716 Cases | -68.7% |
| 1983 | 7,281 Cases | +8.4% |
| 1984 | 12,268 Cases | +68.5% |
| 1985 | 2,810 Cases | -77.1% |
| 1986 | 6,323 Cases | +125.0% |
| 1987 | 5,872 Cases | -7.1% |
| 1988 | 3,109 Cases | -47.1% |
| 1989 | 1,753 Cases | -43.6% |
| 1990 | 3,259 Cases | +85.9% |
| 1991 | 5,452 Cases | +67.3% |
| 1993 | 2,002 Cases | -63.3% |
| 1996 | 1,640 Cases | -18.1% |
| 1998 | 899 Cases | -45.2% |
| 2000 | 22,497 Cases | +2402.4% |
| 2001 | 22,552 Cases | +0.2% |
| 2002 | 33,812 Cases | +49.9% |
| 2003 | 8,286 Cases | -75.5% |
| 2004 | 8,752 Cases | +5.6% |
| 2006 | 520 Cases | -94.1% |
| 2008 | 11,015 Cases | +2018.3% |
| 2009 | 741 Cases | -93.3% |
| 2010 | 450 Cases | -39.3% |
| 2011 | 434 Cases | -3.6% |
| 2012 | 228 Cases | -47.5% |
| 2013 | 229 Cases | +0.4% |
| 2014 | 462 Cases | +101.7% |
| 2015 | 35 Cases | -92.4% |
| 2016 | 165 Cases | +371.4% |
| 2017 | 187 Cases | +13.3% |
| 2018 | 279 Cases | +49.2% |
| 2019 | 742 Cases | +165.9% |
| 2020 | 12 Cases | -98.4% |
| 2021 | 6 Cases | -50.0% |
| 2024 | 45 Cases | +650.0% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 45 Cases is above the median for high income countries, which is 7 Cases, 6.4× the median. (75 countries reporting)
- Japan's 45 Cases is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 1 Cases, 45.0× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Reported cases of measles in Japan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | +2402.4% | 899 Cases | 22,497 Cases |
| 2008 | +2018.3% | 520 Cases | 11,015 Cases |
| 2024 | +650.0% | 6 Cases | 45 Cases |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 23,695 Cases | 15,217 Cases | 34,385 Cases | 6 |
| 1980s | 8,082 Cases | 1,753 Cases | 21,471 Cases | 10 |
| 1990s | 2,650 Cases | 899 Cases | 5,452 Cases | 5 |
| 2000s | 13,522 Cases | 520 Cases | 33,812 Cases | 8 |
| 2010s | 321.1 Cases | 35 Cases | 742 Cases | 10 |
| 2020s | 21 Cases | 6 Cases | 45 Cases | 3 |
Countries ranked near Japan
More health data for Japan
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.73 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.2774 % change on previous year (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 178 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -2.22 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0155 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -2.36 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0163 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is reported cases of measles in Japan?
- Reported cases of measles in Japan was 45 Cases in 2024, according to World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest reported cases of measles recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 34,385 Cases in 1978.
- What is the lowest reported cases of measles recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 6 Cases in 2021.
- How does Japan rank for reported cases of measles?
- Japan ranks 93rd out of 210 countries with data for 2024.
- Is reported cases of measles rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 90.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Reported cases of measles. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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