Malaria is one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, claiming 597,000 lives worldwide in 2023. For many people living in Japan today, it may feel like a distant, foreign disease, but Japan itself once struggled to eradicate this terrible illness. In the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa Prefecture during World War II, forced evacuations—ordered by the military and directed toward areas endemic with malaria—resulted in approximately half of the local population contracting the disease. 16,887 residents fell ill and 3,647 lost their lives. Finally, 17 years later in 1962, the region achieved the milestone of zero malaria cases.
For World Malaria Day on April 25th, 2026, FGFJ has released a video to trace the story of malaria from the memories of “War Malaria” in the Yaeyama Islands and Japan’s own experience in overcoming the disease, to the ongoing global battle against it today, and the unique role Japan can play in this fight.
Toward a World Without Malaria: The Story of Japan and Malaria
(contains both Japanese and English-language segments with subtitles to be added later)
This story is interwoven with the invaluable testimonies of a War Malaria survivor and experts.
- Dr. Mika Saito, Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, and laureate of the 8th Zero Malaria Award, explains the history of “War Malaria” in the Yaeyama Islands.
- Ms. Setsuko Yamazato, a malaria survivor from Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, shares her firsthand experience during the war.
- Mr. Kazuaki Tsujii, country team staff at the Global Fund Secretariat, shares the state of the fight against malaria including the Global Fund’s initiatives, achievements, challenges, and future prospects.
- Dr. Ivan Mbogo, Hematology Business Development, SYSMEX CORPORATION, talks about Japanese innovation in the form of early detection through high-precision diagnostics.
- Dr. Oanh Khuat, Founder and Executive Director, SCDI, speaks from the perspective of civil society and discusses community engagement and fighting malaria on the ground.
Achieving “zero malaria” in the Yaeyama Islands was the result of science-based decision-making, institutionalized public health measures, and the active cooperation of the local community. Japan’s experience can serve as a roadmap toward eradication for nations that continue to suffer from malaria today, demonstrating that a malaria-free world is possible with sustained support, innovation, and collaboration.
End Malaria. Now We Can, Now We Must.
To view other FGFJ videos documenting the stories of those involved in the fight against malaria around the world, click on the images below:
Visit Niger, Indonesia and Malawi in a New Documentary on the Global Fund’s Impact
“It Always Starts with a Dream”
Episode 2: El Salvador
