Kawasaki disease continues to increase in Japan.

Mucocutaneous lymphnode syndrome (MCLS) or Kawasaki disease was reported first by Kawasaki in Japan in 1967.1 Cases of MCLS have been reported in many countries, since it was reported in Pediatrics in 1974.2 By the end of 1976, about 12,000 cases were collected and registered throughout Japan by the MCLS Research Committee which was organized in 1970. The Committee is now conducting the fifth nationwide survey of all pediatric departments of hospitals with more than 100 beds (1,688 hospitals) in order to register cases of MCLS newly diagnosed during 1977-1978.