AIDS in Japan
by spinshellIn 2007 approximately 33.2 million people around the world were living with HIV or AIDS, with the largest percentage of cases being in Africa. Despite attempts to contain this global epidemic the numbers continue to grow, with Japan being no exception.
.m4v version
Embed it:
In 2006, Japan reached an all time HIV and AIDS high with 952 cases of HIV being reported and 406 AIDS cases. Since 1996 cases have continued to rise here and the increase in newly reported AIDS cases is a phenomenon that is not seen in any other first world country. The general public has long thought of AIDS as an overseas problem, not a domestic one, but the statistics can no longer be ignored.
Medicine that slows the progression from HIV to AIDS has enabled other developed countries to decrease the AIDS number. But over the past few years in Japan about 30% of people with AIDS were discovered without prior diagnosis of HIV. This rise is thought to be the result of lacking early detection.
Most infections were through sexual contact. Although the rate of condom use in Japan is high, awareness of the risks when you don’t use one remains low, especially among youth.
Campus AIDS Interface is a group of volunteers who provide free take-home STD test kits for people under 25. They have a small orange van they often park around Tokyo at parks, at major markets – such as the Earth Day Markets – and at music festivals. Test kits can be picked up from the van and your results are anonymously sent in. A few weeks later you can check the outcome online through a number system.
In 2007, on the streets of Shibuya, a group trying to raise STD awareness “Stop! STD o Kangaeru Kai” conducted a revealing STD survey. Of the 466 Japanese high school students and teenage high school graduates surveyed one out of 17 had contracted an STD. 80% knew what an STD was, but only 20% knew correct information about them. Only half of the participants were aware that AIDS was spreading among young people.
To help the public grasp the situation, and deal with it once diagnosed, the government and local NPOs have undertaken a number of measures.
The Japanese Foundation for AIDS Prevention has a 24 hour pre-recorded support line, which provides general information about AIDS, counseling, and information about services such as testing and treatment. All information is available in Japanese, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Thai, Chinese, Korean, and Tagalog.
Free anonymous testing has been made available at the public health center of each ward. You will need to call in advance as test dates and times are limited.
NPOs, like Oxfam Japan, Africa Japan Forum, and Share, have been drawing attention to the issue of AIDS in Japan and abroad. The G8 summit, held in July 2008, was the perfect opportunity to raise issues of global health with both members of the Japanese public and the World leaders who took part in the meeting.
NPOS, like the ones mentioned, hold a number of events throughout the year to increase knowledge of the situation and generate funds for their efforts.
One of the most well known is World AIDS Day, held on December 1st each year. Around the world, the theme of the day is leadership and the event aims to create global consciousness of the situation. Volunteers from the Japanese group, World AIDS Day Series (WADS), will be handing out leaflets about HIV/AIDS near busy stations and also giving lectures at High Schools about the epidemic. In 2008, they also plan to focus on letting more people know about the free HIV/AIDS testing available at public health centers. Check out their official website, closer to the day, to see what other events they have going on.
If you want information in English try popular blogs like that of Tokyo-based nonprofit NGO consultant, Sarajean for up-to-date English information about events like World AIDS Day.
Japan’s statistics clearly show the situation here is worsening and this dilemma is one that can no longer be dismissed as another country’s problem.
Story by Karryn Cartelle
All Rights Reserved, Spinshell Inc.
Spinshell Reports are three minute episodes of useful information about visiting and living in Japan.
Related articles:
December 5th, 2008 at 23:34
hey i love u guys ur awesome
April 22nd, 2010 at 07:21
I cannot wait in Spain much longer using this crap net connection. When will this volcanic ash clear???
September 2nd, 2010 at 02:16
Hechizo de Amor para “Enloquecer” a Tu Pareja
November 1st, 2010 at 21:19
Thanks for this outstanding piece. I look forward more of your writing on this topic sometime soon. Cheers again
November 8th, 2010 at 19:55
This report altered some of my thoughts on Japanese.
December 14th, 2010 at 17:34
You made various good points there. I did a search on the matter and found a good number of persons will consent with your blog.
February 3rd, 2011 at 04:53
A blog , it has long sought a paper document com this
April 15th, 2011 at 13:14
Coming from a tech savvy department in a Filipino call center firm, my tastes in online designs have somehow become high maintenance. But your site is really user-friendly, so I’m glad to have dropped by.
May 23rd, 2011 at 04:45
I wonder if this has something to do with AV industry in Japan which I heard it’s going strong regardless.
June 17th, 2011 at 03:21
You completed some fine points there. I did a search on the subject and found nearly all people will go along with with your blog.
June 26th, 2011 at 12:40
Hola, me interesa mucho este tema y toda esta informacion me viene de muy bien, saludos…
June 26th, 2011 at 13:00
Hola, me gusta tu sitio web, los temas de los que hablas se me hacen muy interesantes, seguire leyendolo, saludos…
July 15th, 2011 at 00:33
Thanks for putting up this article, I believe everyone will thanks for that.
September 28th, 2011 at 13:47
An impressive share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a bit evaluation on this. And he the truth is purchased me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! However yeah Thnkx for spending the time to debate this, I really feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If attainable, as you turn into experience, would you mind updating your weblog with extra details? Its extremely helpful for me. Large thumb up for this blog put up!
October 5th, 2011 at 03:29
excelente xobia de flata y decamo con altul cendinam. umpra a bedoges y acuzeg treras con sararpalo ergicos!
October 24th, 2011 at 14:00
It is truly a great and helpful piece of info. I am satisfied that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing
November 15th, 2011 at 11:22
Everything ‘ll be all right
February 3rd, 2012 at 15:04
Good article. Ive just forwarded the link to my buddy|.
February 5th, 2012 at 01:41
reproving unidentified mulder Hera Carmelina hunchback slid constanta croaker
February 21st, 2012 at 12:47
Outstanding post, I conceive blog owners should larn a lot from this web blog its rattling user pleasant.
February 27th, 2012 at 03:35
Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the internet the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people think about worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
February 27th, 2012 at 05:40
I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts in this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this website. Reading this information So i’m glad to show that I have an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I such a lot indisputably will make sure to do not fail to remember this site and give it a glance on a continuing basis.
March 23rd, 2012 at 08:37
Your internet site is just what I have been looking for. Spring is in the air and I am looking for something new regarding my backyard, and a barbecue grill is the ideal solution. I had no idea there was a difference among certain grills. I am definitely returning to this website to learn up more upon barbeques and generate income can prepare myself to buy the right choice for me.
April 8th, 2012 at 02:38
Excellent website you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article? I’d really like to be a part of community where I can get responses from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Appreciate it!
May 11th, 2012 at 00:40
wonderful points altogether, you just gained a brand new reader. What may you recommend in regards to your put up that you simply made a few days ago? Any certain?