[Progress in the World and challenges in Japan on HPV vaccination for cervical cancer prevention].

For cervical cancer prevention, Cervarix(HPV-16/18)was approvedin Japan andvaccination programs against HPV-16/18 were startedin December, 2009. This vaccine is almost 100% effective in preventing high-grade precancer associated with the HPV types; it is safe and well tolerated. In Japan, universal vaccination of females between 11 and 14 years is recommended. We all look forward to eradicating cervical cancer in the not too distant future.