HPV Vaccine-Induced Suffering

1. What is the HPV vaccine?

The HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine prevents infections that can cause cervical, anal, and vaginal cancers, as well as genital warts. In Japan, it is often referred to as the “cervical cancer vaccine.” Because of the relatively high prevalence of incidents and mortality of cervical cancer among young women in Japan, medical professionals began advocating for introducing the HPV vaccine that had already been used overseas. In 2008, medical experts formed the Committee for the Eradication of Cervical Cancer, which issued policy proposals. In 2009, three professional societies—the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Japan Pediatric Society, and the Japan Society of Gynecologic Oncology—jointly released a “Statement on the Promotion of HPV Vaccination.” In response to this movement, the national government launched the Emergency Promotion Project for Cervical Cancer and Related Vaccinations in 2010, and a revision of the Immunization Law in April 2013 made HPV vaccination part of the routine immunization program. The target recipients were girls aged 11‒14, prior to the typical onset of sexual activity, with three doses administered over six months.

2. Frequent adverse reactions and lack of medical understanding

After HPV vaccination became routine in 2013, increasing numbers of recipients reported a wide range of health problems—including fever, generalized pain, memory impairment, menstrual irregularities, hypersensitivity to light, sound, and smell, and neurological disturbances. Media coverage of these symptoms heightened public anxiety, prompting the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) to suspend its “active recommendation” for HPV vaccination within the same year. Victims sought treatment for post-vaccination symptoms but often faced misunderstanding and denial from many doctors. As diagnostic tests revealed no clear abnormalities, their complaints were often dismissed as psychosomatic or feigned illness. Lacking effective therapies, many young women were forced to abandon their studies or jobs. Although Japan has two systems intended to compensate vaccine-related harm—the Relief Service for Adverse Drug Reactions and the Immunization Act—these mechanisms initially failed to function effectively. Doctors’ reluctance to certify cases and administrative determinations that symptoms were “not serious enough to require hospitalization” led to many applications being denied. In fact, adverse reactions had been reported even before routine immunization began. In March 2013, victims established the All Japan Coordinating Association of HPV Vaccine Sufferers. In 2016, victims filed lawsuits in four district courts nationwide against the government and pharmaceutical companies, seeking official recognition and compensation. While the trials are still ongoing, competing theories regarding causation have emerged. In January 2014, the MHLW’s Subcommittee on Adverse Reactions to Vaccines proposed the “psychosomatic response hypothesis,” attributing symptoms to pain or anxiety at the time of injection. In contrast, in September 2014, a research team from the Japan Medical Research Foundation proposed that excessive immune responses to the vaccine caused neurological and autonomic abnormalities. They coined the term Human Papillomavirus-Associated Neuroimmunopathic Syndrome (HANS) and called for nationwide follow-up studies.

3. Resumption of active recommendation and backlash against victims

During the course of ongoing litigation, in November 2021, the MHLW lifted its eight-year suspension of active recommendation for HPV vaccination. This decision followed publication of studies reporting no statistically significant difference in symptom prevalence between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, as well as increasing calls from medical societies to resume vaccination. However, the policy change triggered a new backlash. Victims were accused of hindering public health efforts, and some were labeled “anti-vaccine activists.” In this respect, the HPV vaccine lawsuits parallel the Iressa®︎ case: victims’ efforts to speak out were met with social hostility instead of solidarity. This situation raises urgent questions about public discourse, scientific responsibility, and how Japanese society treats individuals who struggle to make their voices heard about health-related suffering.

References

1. National Attorneys Association for the HPV Vaccines Lawsuits in Japan. 2023. “On the HPV Vaccine Lawsuit.” http://hkr.o.oo7.jp/yakugai/forum/forum25-data/HPV_2023.pdf.
2. Kawanishi, Shosuke et al. (eds.). 2023. Illustrated Guide to Drug-Induced Harm and Adverse Effects (3rd rev. ed.). Nanzando. (ISBN 4525720735)
3. Taneda, Hiroyuki. 2023. “Adverse Events and Health Damage Following ‘Cervical Cancer Vaccine’ Inoculation.” 『薬害とはなにか――新しい薬害の社会学』Minerva Shobo,（ISBN 4623095290）