Phytoplasma-induced leaf yellowing, stunting and rosetting were observed on Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis) in Jung-gu of Daegu city, Korea. Molecular analyses based on PCR–RFLP and 16S rDNA sequences indicated that the phytoplasma associated with Japanese spurge yellows disease is a new strain of Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris. This report is the first on the occurrence of phytoplasma disease on Japanese spurge in Korea.