Japan: screenings and vaccines by age
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General information only. Not medical advice and not a substitute for a doctor.
Elsewhere, call your local emergency number.
In Japan, cancer screening is carried out by municipalities.
Screening tests
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cervical cytology or HPV-only test Cervical cancer screening |
Women; age 20 and over | Cervical cytology (smear test) — every 2 years (age 20 and over) · HPV-only test (with cytology triage if positive) — every 5 years (age 30 and over) · From age 30 each municipality offers either cytology or HPV-only testing (the person cannot choose); screening is particularly recommended at ages 20 to 69 with cytology and 30 to 60 with HPV-only testing. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針 · National guideline がん検診について（国立がん研究センター がん情報サービス） がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針の一部改正について（令和7年12月24日 通知） The publisher has listed a newer edition, which applies from a later date. Source |
|
| Mammogram (breast X-ray) Breast cancer screening |
Women; age 40 and over | every 2 years · Screening is particularly recommended for women aged 40 to 69. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針 · National guideline がん検診について（国立がん研究センター がん情報サービス） がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針の一部改正について（令和7年12月24日 通知） The publisher has listed a newer edition, which applies from a later date. Source |
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| Faecal immunochemical test (two-day sample) Colorectal (bowel) cancer screening |
age 40 and over | every year · Screening is particularly recommended for people aged 40 to 69. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針 · National guideline がん検診について（国立がん研究センター がん情報サービス） がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針の一部改正について（令和7年12月24日 通知） The publisher has listed a newer edition, which applies from a later date. Source |
|
| Chest X-ray Lung cancer screening |
age 40 and over | every year · Screening is particularly recommended for people aged 40 to 69. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針 · National guideline がん検診について（国立がん研究センター がん情報サービス） がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針の一部改正について（令和7年12月24日 通知） The publisher has listed a newer edition, which applies from a later date. Source |
|
| Stomach X-ray (barium) or gastroscopy Stomach cancer screening |
age 50 and over | every 2 years · Stomach X-ray (barium meal) — every 2 years (age 50 and over) · Gastroscopy (upper endoscopy) — every 2 years (age 50 and over) · For the time being, municipalities may also offer the barium X-ray from age 40 and once a year; screening is particularly recommended for people aged 50 to 69. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針 · National guideline がん検診について（国立がん研究センター がん情報サービス） がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針の一部改正について（令和7年12月24日 通知） The publisher has listed a newer edition, which applies from a later date. Source |
Vaccines
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 vaccine COVID-19 vaccination |
from age 60 until your 65th birthday; Disability of heart, kidney or respiratory function that severely limits daily life, or HIV-related immune disability that makes daily life almost impossible (as defined by MHLW ordinance) | every year · One dose each year during a period set by each municipality between October and March. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） 新型コロナワクチンについて（厚生労働省） |
|
| Flu vaccine (influenza HA vaccine) Flu vaccination |
from age 60 until your 65th birthday; Disability of heart, kidney or respiratory function that severely limits daily life, or HIV-related immune disability that makes daily life almost impossible (as defined by MHLW ordinance) | every year | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） インフルエンザワクチン(高齢者)（厚生労働省） |
|
| Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Pneumococcal vaccination |
from age 60 until your 65th birthday; Disability of heart, kidney or respiratory function that severely limits daily life, or HIV-related immune disability that makes daily life almost impossible (as defined by MHLW ordinance) | once | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） 高齢者の肺炎球菌ワクチン（厚生労働省） |
|
| Shingles vaccine (live or recombinant) Shingles vaccination |
from age 60 until your 65th birthday; HIV-related immune disability that makes daily life almost impossible (as defined by MHLW ordinance) | Either one dose of the live vaccine or two doses of the recombinant vaccine. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） 帯状疱疹ワクチン（厚生労働省） |
|
| Shingles vaccine (live or recombinant) Shingles vaccination |
the fiscal year you turn 65; Also, until : people turning 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100 | Either one dose of the live vaccine or two doses of the recombinant vaccine. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） 帯状疱疹ワクチン（厚生労働省） |
|
| COVID-19 vaccine COVID-19 vaccination |
age 65 and over | every year · One dose each year during a period set by each municipality between October and March. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） 新型コロナワクチンについて（厚生労働省） |
|
| Flu vaccine (influenza HA vaccine) Flu vaccination |
age 65 and over | every year | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） インフルエンザワクチン(高齢者)（厚生労働省） |
|
| Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Pneumococcal vaccination |
age 65 | once · One dose of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） 高齢者の肺炎球菌ワクチン（厚生労働省） |
Childhood immunizations
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis B vaccine Hepatitis B vaccination |
until your 1st birthday | 2–9 months (standard timing: before 9 months), at least 27 days after the previous dose, 2–9 months (standard timing: before 9 months) · All three doses fall in the standard period; the third dose is given at least 139 days after the first. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） B型肝炎ワクチン（厚生労働省） |
|
| Rotavirus vaccine (oral) Rotavirus vaccination |
6 to 32 weeks old | from 2 months to 14 weeks of age, at least 27 days after the previous dose, at least 27 days after the previous dose · Oral vaccine. The monovalent vaccine is two doses, completed by the day the baby turns 24 weeks old; the pentavalent vaccine is three doses, completed by the day the baby turns 32 weeks old. A first dose at 15 weeks of age or later is not recommended, because its safety has not been established. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · ロタウイルスワクチン(厚生労働省) · Set by law 定期接種実施要領（厚生労働省健康・生活衛生局長通知別添） 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） |
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| Five-in-one vaccine (DTaP-IPV-Hib) Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and Hib vaccination |
2 months to under 7 years 6 months | 2–7 months (standard timing: before 7 months), 20–56 days after the previous dose, 20–56 days after the previous dose, 6–18 months after the previous dose | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 5種混合ワクチン(厚生労働省) · Set by law 定期接種実施要領（厚生労働省健康・生活衛生局長通知別添） 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） |
|
| Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Pneumococcal vaccination |
from 2 months until your 5th birthday | 2–7 months (standard timing: before 7 months), at least 27 days after the previous dose (standard timing: before 12 months), at least 27 days after the previous dose (standard timing: before 12 months), 12–15 months (standard timing: before 15 months) · Schedule shown for a first dose before age 7 months; children who start later need fewer doses. The booster is given at least 60 days after the primary series. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） 子どもの肺炎球菌ワクチン（厚生労働省） |
|
| BCG vaccine Tuberculosis (BCG) vaccination |
until your 1st birthday | 5–8 months | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · BCGワクチン(厚生労働省) · Set by law 定期接種実施要領（厚生労働省健康・生活衛生局長通知別添） 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） |
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| Japanese encephalitis vaccine Japanese encephalitis vaccination |
6 months to under 7 years 6 months | 3–4 years (standard timing: before 4 years), 6–28 days after the previous dose, 4–5 years (standard timing: before 5 years) · First-stage doses (two primary doses, then a booster about one year later). The dose ages shown are the standard ages; routine (publicly funded) vaccination covers the whole age range shown. The second-stage dose is listed separately. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） 日本脳炎ワクチン（厚生労働省） |
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| MR vaccine (measles-rubella) Measles and rubella vaccination |
from 12 months until your 2nd birthday | 12–24 months (complete before 24 months) · First-stage dose; the second dose is given in the year before the child starts elementary school. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） MRワクチン（厚生労働省） |
|
| Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine Chickenpox (varicella) vaccination |
from 12 months until your 3rd birthday | 12–15 months (standard timing: before 15 months), 6–12 months after the previous dose · The minimum interval between the two doses is 3 months. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） 水痘ワクチン（厚生労働省） |
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| MR vaccine (measles-rubella) Measles and rubella vaccination |
from age 5 until your 7th birthday; In the year before starting elementary school | 5–7 years (complete before 7 years) · Second-stage dose: one dose during the year before the child starts elementary school. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） MRワクチン（厚生労働省） |
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| Japanese encephalitis vaccine Japanese encephalitis vaccination |
from age 9 until your 13th birthday | 9–10 years (standard timing: before 10 years) · Second-stage dose (one dose). The dose age shown is the standard age; routine (publicly funded) vaccination covers the whole age range shown. The first-stage doses are listed separately. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） 日本脳炎ワクチン（厚生労働省） |
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| DT vaccine (diphtheria-tetanus) Diphtheria and tetanus vaccination |
from age 11 until your 13th birthday | 11 years · Second-stage dose for diphtheria and tetanus. The dose age shown is the standard age; routine (publicly funded) vaccination covers the whole age range shown. | Cabinet of Japan · 予防接種法施行令 · Set by law 定期接種実施要領（厚生労働省健康・生活衛生局長通知別添） DTワクチン（厚生労働省） |
|
| HPV vaccine (nine-valent) HPV vaccination |
Girls; ages 12 to 16 | 12–13 years, at least 6 months after the previous dose · Eligibility runs from the start of the fiscal year (April) in which the girl turns 12 to the end of the fiscal year in which she turns 16; the standard time is the fiscal year she turns 13. If the gap cannot be six months it must be at least 5 months, and girls who start at age 15 or older need three doses. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） ヒトパピローマウイルス感染症~子宮頸がん(子宮けいがん)とHPVワクチン~（厚生労働省） |
Health check programmes
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Health Checkup (metabolic syndrome check) National health check programme |
ages 40 to 74 | every year · Run by health insurers (employees' health insurance and National Health Insurance) for their enrolled members, with health guidance for people at high risk of lifestyle-related disease. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 特定健康診査(特定健診) · National programme 特定健診・特定保健指導（e-ヘルスネット） |
During pregnancy
Recommendations during pregnancy are not tied to an age band.
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSV vaccine given in pregnancy (maternal immunisation) RSV vaccination |
Women; weeks 28 to 36 of pregnancy | One dose during pregnancy to protect the baby; people vaccinated in an earlier pregnancy are also eligible. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · 定期接種実施要領 · Set by law 予防接種法施行令（昭和二十三年政令第百九十七号） RSウイルスワクチン（厚生労働省） |
Emergency and crisis lines
United States
Emergency 911 Emergency services (United States) · Source
Crisis line 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (United States) · Available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. · Source
United Kingdom
Emergency 999 NHS England · Source
Health advice 111 NHS England · Source
Crisis line 116 123 Samaritans · Open 24 hours a day. · Source
China
Emergency 120 National Health Commission (China) · Source
Crisis line 12356 National Health Commission (China) · Each line provides at least 18 hours of service a day under the national notice; hours vary by city. · Source
Japan
Emergency 119 Fire and Disaster Management Agency (Japan) · Source
Crisis line 0120‑061‑338 #いのちSOS (Lifelink) · Open 24 hours a day, every day (free call). · Source
Crisis line 0120‑279‑338 Yorisoi Hotline · Open 24 hours a day (free call). · Source
Spain
Emergency 112 Emergency services (Spain) · Source
Crisis line 024 Ministerio de Sanidad (Spain) · Free and confidential, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. · Source
Brazil
Emergency 192 Ministério da Saúde (Brazil) · Source
Crisis line 188 CVV — Centro de Valorização da Vida · Free, 24 hours a day, anywhere in Brazil. · Source
Elsewhere, call your local emergency number.