This survey report, commissioned by the Open Society Institute (OSI), represents one of the first publications in English on how various actors in the public and private sectors in Japan have been addressing the domestic and global spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
There were an estimated 20,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Japan as of 2003. With prevalence still relatively low, HIV/AIDS generally has been viewed in Japan as a disease that only affects faraway countries. Statistics reveal, however, that the number of newly reported HIV infections and AIDS diagnoses continues to climb steadily, making Japan an exception among high-income countries.
Currently, HIV/AIDS issues are not yet part of Japan’s mainstream policy agenda, but the rising statistics highlight the need to place higher priority on addressing the epidemic both as a domestic and international policy issue. The report outlines the current situation in Japan with the aim of directing greater attention from Japanese political, business, media, and civil society leaders toward this issue.
Contents
1. Preface
2. Executive Summary
3. Present State and Future Trends in the Spread of HIV/AIDS in Japan
- The State of the Epidemic
- Populations Vulnerable to HIV-Infection
- Impact of the HIV-Tainted Blood Scandal
- Public Perception of HIV/AIDS
- Future Perspectives
4. Japanese Government Policies on HIV/AIDS
- Domestic Policies on HIV/AIDS
- Role of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
- Existing Framework for Fighting HIV/AIDS
- Foreign Policy Initiatives on HIV/AIDS
- HIV/AIDS in Foreign Policies
- Priority of HIV/AIDS Relative to Other Infectious Diseases
- Regional Policies and HIV/AIDS
- Projects Under the Okinawa Infectious Diseases Initiative (IDI)
- Joint Collaboration on HIV Vaccine Development
5. Non-Governmental Actors in the Fight Against AIDS
- Civil Society Involvement
- NGOs Working on HIV/AIDS Issues
- Private Foundations
- Role of the MediaMass MediaDocumentary Photography
- Corporate Attitudes Towards HIV/AIDS
- Workplace Management of HIV/AIDS
- Corporate Philanthropy and Awareness-Raising Programs
- Labor Unions
6. Bibliography
7. List of Key Informants
8. Appendices
