Beware the Bed Bugs on Your Next Japan Trip

A new strain of insecticide-resistant bed bug is bugging Japan after making stops in France and Korea. Here’s what you need to know before your next trip.

By Himari Semans

This summer, bed bugs took over Paris. Now, they are taking a winter vacation in Korea. Experts say that their next destination is Japan.

Bed bugs threaten Japan

Japan has reported more cases of bed bugs than ever in 2023 as experts sound the alarm for an inevitable spread across the country.

285 bed bug victims sought help from the Tokyo Pest Control Association by November 16th this year. The figure rose starkly above the past six year’s average of 192 reports.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government also reports an upward trend in bed bug cases from its Environment, Health, and Hygiene Division. It recorded 26 cases in 2005. By 2019, the figure multiplied 17 times, peaking at 458 cases. It then dipped slightly as the pandemic restricted travel and transmission of bed bugs.

However, reports rebounded to pre-pandemic levels last year as Japan lifted travel restrictions for inbound tourists.