Number of deaths from infectious diseases Japan 2019, by type

Among infectious diseases that were recorded in Japan, the highest number of deaths was caused by influenza, which amounted to approximately 3.6 thousand in 2019. This figure did not include avian influenza and novel influenza or re-emerging influenza. The number of deaths from infectious gastroenteritis followed with around 2.2 thousand cases.

 Seasonal influenza in Japan 

The influenza season in Japan typically begins in November or December and reaches its peak in the first two months of the following year. The number of deaths caused by seasonal flu in Japan has been increasing in recent years, with the 2019 number marking an increase of 500 percent compared to 2009. Since 2010, more than 25 million influenza vaccine units were supplied in the country annually. Citizens aged 60 years and over are eligible to receive free periodic influenza vaccines from their municipality. Since 2013, more than 16 million elderly a year have received such a free vaccination.

 Receding flu infections during COVID-19

  During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a partial decrease of monthly flu patients was observed in Japan. This development has by some been attributed to a phenomenon called viral interference, making people less susceptible to influenza viruses in areas where the coronavirus is predominant. In case of an infection with the novel virus, infected cells secrete so-called interferon proteins which block other viruses. Moreover, nationwide preventive measures such as face masks, home office implementation, and regulations of gastronomy opening hours have shown to have a positive influence on reducing infection numbers of diseases like influenza.