"Increased Sexual Activity via Apps and SNS... Japan Faces Rising Syphilis Infections"

Newly Confirmed Cases This Year Reach 2,573
24.9% Increase Compared to Same Period Last Year
"Causes Include Entertainment Venues, SNS, and Matching Apps"

Syphilis infections are on the rise in Japan. Last year, the cumulative annual number of infections exceeded 10,000 for the first time in 23 years, and there is a possibility that the number could reach 20,000 this year.

According to the Japanese media outlet Nikkan Gendai on the 23rd (local time), the National Institute of Infectious Diseases of Japan announced in a flash report for the "10th week of 2023" (March 6 to March 12) that there were 200 new confirmed syphilis cases in one week, bringing the total to 2,573 cases so far this year.

This represents a 42.9% increase compared to the same period last year (1,801 cases), reflecting the explosive spread of syphilis infections continuing this year. If the current trend continues, even the annual new infection figure of 20,000 could be threatened.

A view of the streets of Tokyo.

The area with the highest number of new confirmed cases this year is the capital, Tokyo Metropolis, accounting for more than a quarter of the total with 660 cases. This is a 21% increase compared to the same period last year.

Last year, the number of confirmed syphilis infections in Tokyo Metropolis was 3,677, about 12 times higher than 297 cases in 2012, ten years ago. This is the highest number since related statistics began to be compiled in 1999.

Last year, female infections surged 40.8 times from 34 cases ten years ago to 1,386 cases, while male infections increased 8.7 times from 263 to 2,291 cases.

In response to this situation, Japanese health authorities are making every effort to prevent the spread of syphilis. Tokyo Metropolis decided to conduct free group testing by opening syphilis testing centers in four locations within the metropolis, including Shinjuku Ward starting on the 3rd, as well as Sumida Ward, Tachikawa City, and Tama City.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection mainly transmitted through sexual contact, characterized by systemic rash, swollen lymph nodes, and genital ulcers. Early intervention allows for treatment, but if left untreated, it can cause serious damage to the heart and nervous system.

The current spread of syphilis in Japan is the worst since the 1960s. Syphilis peaked in Japan in 1948, right after the defeat in the Pacific War, with 220,000 cases annually, and spread widely until the 1960s. However, after the invention of antibiotics, the number of patients drastically decreased to under 1,000 annually.

Japanese Media: "Increase in Sexual Activity with Multiple Unknown Partners is a Major Cause"

Japanese media outlets have pointed to increased use of entertainment establishments and sexual activity with multiple unknown partners through social networking services (SNS) and matching applications (apps) as the main reasons for the surge in confirmed syphilis cases.

Some have cited the increase in foreign tourists as a cause, but this explanation has lost credibility as the number of patients surged even after the outbreak of COVID-19.