Why is syphilis booming in Japan – and what’s Sailor Moon got to do with it?

Cases of the disease have hit a 50-year high despite the best efforts of anime character Sailor Moon. And even before the Olympics comes to town, some Japanese are blaming the tourists

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Published: 5:00pm, 30 Nov 2018Updated: 9:54pm, 30 Nov 2018

Despite a high-profile education campaign that roped in the Sailor Moon anime character, syphilis infections are on the rise in Japan, where the number of cases this year has already hit a near 50-year high.

According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 6,096 cases had been reported as of November 19, the first time the annual total had surpassed 6,000 since 1970. With a month still to go before the end of the year, the final total for 2018 will be significantly higher.

Most of the cases – 1,548 – have been reported in Tokyo, followed by 1,043 in Osaka and 399 in Aichi prefecture.

Given that Tokyo will host the Olympic Games in less than two years, there is concern that the disease will continue to spread and the authorities have introduced initiatives to control a sexually transmitted disease that is not always readily identifiable.

Tokyo, where most of the syphilis cases have been reported. Photo: Reuters

The metropolitan government has set aside funds in its fiscal 2018 budget to pay for more free and anonymous testing programmes, as well as to train more doctors in treating the condition.

This initiative follows a 2016 poster and leaflet campaign drawn up by the health ministry and featuring Sailor Moon. The Pretty Guardian, as she is known, appeared on more than 150,000 fliers and around 5,000 posters declaring “If you don’t get tested, I will punish you!!”