Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in Japan. According to a

nationwide epidemiological survey conducted in 2019, approximately half of the Japanese

population is affected by AR, while Japanese cedar pollinosis affects 38.8% of the

population. The increasing prevalence among children and adolescents has become a

major public health concern.

To address this burden, the Japanese government has implemented a national strategy

against cedar pollinosis, including measures to reduce pollen exposure, promote early

diagnosis and treatment, and support research on disease prevention. As the prevalence

continues to rise, particularly among younger generations, greater emphasis has been

placed on preventing disease onset in addition to symptom control.

The Japanese guideline for AR, first published in 1993 and updated to its 10th edition in

2024, provides a standardized framework for diagnosis and treatment. Current

management includes allergen avoidance, pharmacotherapy, allergen immunotherapy,

surgery, and biologic therapy. Among these options, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is

the only disease-modifying treatment capable of altering the natural course of allergic

disease and has been widely adopted for Japanese cedar pollen and house dust mite

allergy.

Despite the availability of effective therapies, delayed recognition of symptoms remains

common among young patients. This presentation introduces Japanese initiatives led by

the government and the Japanese Society of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck

Surgery, including a school-based digital health platform that utilizes ICT and real-world

data to support early detection, timely intervention, and future preventive strategies for AR.

Integrating disease-modifying therapies such as SLIT with population-based prevention

programs may help reduce the burden of AR in Japan.