Past, Present, and Future of Viral Hepatitis C in Japan

Of all the industrialized countries of the world, Japan has the highest rate of hepatitis C. It also has 1 of the oldest and most varied histories of hepatitis C in the world among the industrialized modern nations. Hepatitis C and its complications are the leading cause of liver cancer in Japan. Japan has the highest rate of liver cancer among the industrialized countries. From 2004 to 2014, PegIFN/RBV treatment was the mainstream of hepatitis C treatment. In 2014, the first interferon-free therapy was approved in Japan. Subsequently, other interferon-free therapies have been approved. Hepatitis C virus disinfection in hepatitis C patients in Japan has become possible with a probability of 96% or more. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Yatsuhashi H. Past, Present, and Future of Viral Hepatitis C in Japan. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2016;6(1):49-51.