Rhabdias japalurae sp. nov. is described from the lizards Japalura polygonata (type host) and J. swinhonis from Okinawa Island (Japan) and Taiwan, respectively. The species differs from morphologically similar R. gemellipara Chabaud, Brygoo et Petter, 1961 by larger size of the buccal capsule and by the shape of cuticle on anterior part of the body: relatively thin cuticle on the anteriormost part followed by the distinct globular swelling at the level of oesophagus midlength. R. gemellipara from Chamaeleo brevicornis and R. chameleonis (Skrjabin, 1916) from C. cucullatus from Madagascar are briefly described based on collection material. The existence of two distinct Rhabdias species parasitizing lizards from the genera Draco and Anolis is suggested based on investigation of collection specimens and data from literature.