A recent temporary closure of schools due to an outbreak of measles shows that Japan is lagging in its efforts to contain the infectious disease. In the 1950s, thousands of people died of measles. Although the number of annual deaths is said to have come down to single or double figures since the 1990s, Japan has been accused of being an "exporter" of measles since virtually no cases of the disease are reported anymore in Europe or the Americas.

This year a large number of teenagers and young adults contracted measles. As a result, educational facilities ranging from elementary schools to universities were temporarily closed. It is believed that some of the measles victims had never received vaccinations and that others did but failed to develop sufficient immunity. Most middle-aged and elderly people have immunity because they suffered from the disease when they were children.

In 1989, a combination vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella was put into use, but it was discontinued in 1993 after it caused meningitis in some people. Concerned for their children's health, many parents chose not to allow them to receive measles vaccinations — an apparent contributory factor to this year's outbreak.