"Numbers Fail to Tell Story of AIDS Threat in Japan"

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"Numbers Fail to Tell Story of AIDS Threat in Japan"

Asian Wall Street Journal (12/23/91) Vol. 13, No. 51, P. 3
Ono, Yumiko

Abstract: Although Japan has a relatively low AIDS case rate, the country may soon experience a large influx of AIDS cases, health experts say. Presently, only 415 Japanese have developed AIDS out of a population of 124 million. However, Tsunetsugu Munakata, associate professor of public health at the University of Tsukuba and head of the AIDS and Society Association, predicts that "1995 will mark the first year of massive infection" in Japan. He claims that tens of thousands of people will acquire HIV by 2000. Infection by heterosexual means has increased rapidly this year, proving that the disease is not just imported, as many Japanese believe. Of the 56 HIV cases reported in September and October, 36 were the result of heterosexual contact. Surveys show that ignorance concerning AIDS abounds in Japan: many believe that HIV can be transmitted by casual contact or by mosquitoes. Health experts say those most at risk are those who travel abroad, especially to commercial sex tourism areas in some parts of Asia.

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