Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) - September 15, 2004
Underestimated: The number of Aids cases in Japan is slowly increasing, and the number of HIV-positive people in the country is estimated to be far higher than the number reported.
In 2003 the government recorded 336 new Aids cases but only 640 new HIV cases, a number that was "far lower than expected." Since Japan began tracking HIV/Aids cases in 1985, the government has recorded 2 892 Aids cases and 5 780 HIV cases, excluding cases caused by HIV-tainted blood transfusions.
Although the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has opened testing centres on weekends and increased the number of no-cost tests it offers, gynaecologist Tsuneo Akaeda, who estimates that the number of HIV-positive people should be approximately 10 times greater than the number of Aids cases, said: "It's already too late. Japanese people don't get themselves tested. For young people, free testing conflicts with their schedules."
Masanori Suzuki, head of the Aids Health Care Section at the health ministry, agreed that there are probably more cases than have been identified. A majority of the new HIV/Aids cases have been linked to sexual contact, and the increases could be related to "home-delivery" commercial sex work, sex tourism, lack of condom use and a lack of HIV-testing.
040915
MG040907
Copyright © 2004 - Daily Mail & Guardian. For information about the content or for permission to redistribute, publish or use for broadcast, contact the publisher.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .