Japan’s childhood vaccination schedule overlaps with most foreign schedules but has notable differences — some shots earlier, some later, some not on the routine schedule at all. If you’re moving to Fukuoka with kids, this guide explains how to align records, where to get shots, what’s free vs paid, and which gaps to fill before or after arrival.
Japan’s two-tier vaccination system
- Teiki (定期, routine): government-funded, free at participating clinics — required by Japan’s policy
- Nin’i (任意, voluntary): not in routine schedule but recommended; family pays — includes some shots that are routine in other countries
Routine (free) Japanese schedule highlights
0–12 months
- BCG (tuberculosis)
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) × 4 doses
- PCV (pneumococcal) × 4 doses
- Hepatitis B × 3 doses
- Rotavirus × 2 or 3 doses
- 4-in-1 (DPT-IPV: diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio) × 4 doses
1–3 years
- MR (measles + rubella) — first dose
- Varicella (chickenpox) × 2 doses
- Japanese encephalitis × 3 doses
School age
- MR second dose (age 5–7)
- DT (diphtheria + tetanus) booster age 11–12
- HPV — for girls age 12–16 (boys also in some wards now)
Voluntary (paid) shots commonly added
- Influenza: ¥3,000–5,000/dose; 2 doses for under-13; recommended annually
- Mumps: ¥5,000–7,000/dose; 2 doses; not in routine schedule (causes some controversy)
- Hepatitis A: ~¥6,000/dose; not routine in Japan; often required for travel
- Meningococcal: ~¥10,000/dose; for travel-prone families or college-bound teens
- Travel-specific: typhoid, yellow fever, etc — at travel clinics
Aligning foreign vaccination records
Step 1: Bring records translated
- Your home country’s immunization record + ideally Japanese translation
- Most pediatric clinics will accept English-language records but translation reduces confusion
- Provincial health offices in some countries provide Japanese-form translation services
Step 2: Visit pediatric clinic for assessment
- Pediatrician reviews record vs Japan’s schedule
- Identifies gaps and over-coverage
- Recommends catch-up plan
- Hours: Most clinics Mon-Sat 9:00-17:00; vaccination times often dedicated
Step 3: Get the boshi techo (Mother-Child Health Handbook)
- Obtain at ward office after registering address
- Pediatrician records all shots here — becomes your primary record going forward
- Required to access free routine vaccinations in Japan
Common alignment scenarios
From US schedule
- US has MMR (measles+mumps+rubella); Japan splits into MR + voluntary mumps
- US polio is IPV; Japan combined into 4-in-1 — usually compatible
- US has yearly flu — Japan voluntary; continue in Fukuoka via paid shots
- US chickenpox at 12mo + 4-6yr; Japan similar — likely no gap
From UK/EU schedule
- UK MenB vaccine — Japan doesn’t routinely give; voluntary if needed
- UK rotavirus given orally; Japan also oral — compatible
- UK 6-in-1 vs Japan 4-in-1 — slight differences in coverage
From Australia schedule
- Australia gives mumps as part of MMR; Japan voluntary — pay separately or skip
- Otherwise close alignment
Where to get vaccinated in Fukuoka
- Routine shots: any participating pediatric clinic in your ward — list at ward office
- Voluntary shots: same clinic typically; may need to pre-order vaccines
- International travel shots: travel clinics at major hospitals (Kyushu Univ, Saiseikai)
- Most clinics accept walk-ins for routine; appointments preferred for voluntary
What to bring
- Boshi techo
- Health insurance card
- Child medical card (kodomo iryou-sho)
- Voucher (yoshin) for routine shots — mailed by ward office at correct ages
- Pre-vaccination questionnaire (yoshin-hyo) — fill out at home if you have voucher
- Cash or card for voluntary shots
After-vaccination care
- Stay at clinic 30 min for observation post-shot
- Mild fever 24–48 hours after is normal; tylenol/acetaminophen if needed
- Severe reaction (high fever, hives, difficulty breathing): call clinic or 119
- Note any reactions in boshi techo for future reference
Vaccination culture in Japan
- Compliance with routine schedule is high — ~95%+ for most shots
- Some controversy around HPV (recently re-added to routine after temporary pause)
- Mumps voluntary — historical reasons; many families do get it but rate lower than peer countries
- School-entry vaccination check is informal but expected
Costs summary
- Routine schedule total: free for residents (covered fully)
- Voluntary additions: ¥30,000–80,000 over childhood depending on choices
- Travel vaccines: ¥10,000–30,000 per pre-trip series
- Annual flu: ¥3,000–5,000/yr per kid