“The reason why tuberculosis is increasing among young people… The United States is aiming for eradication, and Japan is not. (Yomi Doctor 2025/1/30)” is summarized below.
Although Japan’s incidence of tuberculosis has decreased and is now considered a “low-endemic country,” the number of tuberculosis patients among young people is increasing. In particular, many patients are foreign-born, and young people in their prime working age are at risk of becoming a source of infection. In response, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has implemented pre-arrival tuberculosis screening and requires chest X-rays for those arriving from countries with particularly high numbers of infected people.
However, tests cannot “prove” whether tuberculosis has developed or not, and there is a possibility that it is latent even before the onset of the disease. Tuberculosis has a long incubation period, and people may develop the disease after entering the country.
Although Japan’s countermeasures have a certain degree of effectiveness, it is also important to prevent the onset and spread of tuberculosis within the country, and they need to be strengthened to avoid a resurgence of the disease. Additionally, tuberculosis is an infectious disease that should be eradicated, and while active treatment is being carried out in countries such as the United States, Japan’s goal is to maintain a “low-incidence country,” and there is a lack of a clear policy aimed at eliminating tuberculosis.
Reflection in application procedure for Certificate of Eligibility
As stated on the website of the Immigration Services Agency, in response to the above, in order to enter Japan as a medium- to long-term resident from certain countries (Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar, China*), you will be required to submit a “Tuberculosis Free Certificate” when applying for a Certificate of Eligibility.
*The timing of the start of operation for each country is as follows (other countries are undecided)
- Philippines/Nepal: Applications made after June 23, 2025
- Vietnam: Applications made after September 1, 2025