Citrus greening (huanglongbing) is established in majority of the subtropical and tropical citrus-producing areas of the world. In Japan, the disease causes damage to citrus grown on the subtropical islands and threatens the major citrus production areas on the main islands of Kyushu, Shikoku, and Honshu. Since the initial identification of the disease on a small island near Taiwan, wide-ranging programs and collaboration among scientists, plant quarantine officials, and administrators to combat the disease have been undertaken. This paper reviews the history of the disease and development of countermeasures in Japan. The scientific insight and crucial technical tools that promote control practices are summarized. Implications for the control of the disease in other countries and future research directions are also discussed.