For decades, Japan has been an indispensable partner in the global effort to end malaria. From funding World Health Organization (WHO) programs to strengthening national health systems across Africa, Japan has helped save millions of lives.

Yet the world now stands at a crossroads. As major donors such as the United States and parts of Europe scale back development budgets, and malaria cases begin to rise again, renewed leadership is urgently needed. Drawing on its history of global health cooperation and its world-class technology ecosystem, Japan is uniquely positioned to fill this gap.

Resurgent Threats

After two decades of progress, malaria is resurging. During the COVID-19 pandemic, funding and attention were diverted, with global research investment falling by over $100 million between 2019 and 2022. Malaria cases rose to 249 million in 2022 — the highest level in nearly 20 years.

New challenges are compounding the crisis. Drug resistance has been confirmed in countries such as Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Eritrea, threatening to undermine existing treatments. Climate change is expanding mosquito habitats, increasing transmission in regions once thought safe.

The human and economic costs are staggering. Malaria kills more than 600,000 people in Africa each year, mostly children........

© Japan Today