CURRENTS: HIV/AIDS in Japan | global nomads group

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With a prevalence rate around .02%, Japan is lucky to be one of the countries that has been the least affected by HIV/AIDS. The lack of contact and familiarity with the disease means that education about it is somewhat limited. Lack of awareness has resulted in many misperceptions and stigmas about HIV/AIDS in Japanese society. For example, many view HIV/AIDS as a problem of the poor, developing countries—not something that is relevant to Japan. It is thought that HIV/AIDS is a problem caused by and affecting only foreigners. Tokyo health minister Shizuko Tominaga explains, “AIDS is perceived as someone else’s problem” (Source: JapanTimes.com).

The low HIV prevalence rate means that education about the virus is limited. Some parents do not want their children educated about sexual matters in school because they believe it will encourage sexual activity. As a result of this lack of education, condom use is very low in the general population. The Health and Welfare Ministry estimates that only 6% to 25% of the population use condoms. In fact, many Japanese associate condom use solely with preventing pregnancy and not with protecting against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The traditional values of Japanese society reinforce these ideas as well. In traditional society, women are discouraged from being assertive, and thus, a professor at Tokyo’s Gakugei University writes, “A woman initiating the issue of HIV with their partners and asking them to use condoms would appear rude and challenging, an image she would want to avoid” (San Francisco Chronicle).

Aside from the lack of awareness and misperceptions about its dangers, discrimination surrounds the virus as well. There is a powerful social stigma associated with any sexually transmitted disease and many people view infection as happening only to those who are sinful and corrupt. In March 2001, the Japanese cabinet office released the results of an opinion poll about AIDS. It found that 30% of those polled thought that AIDS was a disease of a “specific category of people.” In addition, 45% would not want to work with a coworker that was infected. Most telling though was that 75% of those surveyed were not at all worried about being infected with the virus.

Impact of HIV

Although the severity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic within Japan currently is low, infection rates are on the rise. The first reported cases of the virus were caused by blood transfusions, but today, 78% of new cases are through sexual contact. The annual number of new infections continues to increase, which is partially attributed to people having sex at younger ages, and with more casual partners. Japan also has a large (albeit illegal) sex industry, which is a major source of transmission. Therefore, many fear that the epidemic is growing. In 2004, 1,165 new cases were reported, a 14% increase from 2003. An increase in prevalence will have a large effect on society as AIDS strikes those in the most productive age groups and is fatal without antiretroviral medication.

Government Response and Access

Compared with other countries, HIV/AIDS is of relatively little concern to the Japanese government and population. Therefore, education and awareness campaigns about the disease, while available, are not considered of the utmost importance. For example, condom use remains relatively low. Many Japanese associate it solely with preventing pregnancies, not with protecting against HIV/AIDS.

When contaminated blood caused 2,000 new HIV infections in 1990s, the government was quick to respond by created one of the world’s top HIV/AIDS treatment programs. Thus, access to treatment is readily available. However, many of those infected are unaware of these programs and the antiretroviral medications that are accessible to them. Therefore, many PLWHAs (People Living with HIV/AIDS) “suffer in silence rather than seeking help.” (Associated Press).

Scale

Although Japan’s infection rate is less than 1% for most of the population (it is about 2.7% for foreign sex workers), many fear the rate will increase. Although HIV/AIDS might not be a large concern for the country at the time being, the future is uncertain. In fact, the Japan Center for International Exchange estimates that the total number of HIV/AIDS cases in Japan is doubling every four years. Statistics that help illustrate the severity of the disease in Japan today follow.

Adult (15-49) Prevalence Rate: <0.1%
Adults Living with HIV: 12,000
AIDS Related Deaths in 2003: <500
*Statistics from UNAIDS, for 2003

Local NGO profile: Life AIDS Project

HIV/AIDS is a relatively low concern among the Japanese people. However, NGOs still exist in order to help those infected. The “Life AIDS Project” is one such organization. They believe that a person’s humanity should be respected, regardless of how they acquired the virus. Life AIDS Project respects this humanity by providing services and care for those infected including counseling services, peer groups, and buddies to help. They also engage in training programs to help educate others about the importance of helping PLWHAs.

Facts and Resources about AIDS in China

*Article: "Japan only now Confronting Rising HIV Rate"

*Japan Inc. Article: "The Japanese Perception of AIDS"

*Japanese Foundation for AIDS Prevention

*"Japan's AIDS Stigma Hampers Treatment"

*"AIDS Risk Increasing in Asia, Says New UNAIDS Report"

*"Stigma Associated with AIDS very Strong in Japan"