Figure 1.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Japan and the Niigata Study. In 2010, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) initiated an expedited promotion project for HPV vaccination, in which the national government would cover 50% of the total cost if local government also paid 50%. Public aid was gradually introduced in each municipality for girls aged 12–16 years. The cities of Niigata, Nagaoka, Joetsu, Shibata, and Mitsuke began providing public aid in 2010 for girls born in 1994 or later. Sanjo city began it in 2012 for girls born in 1996 or later. NIP, National Immunization Program.