HIV/AIDS in Japan

The spread of HIV and AIDS in Japan has been increasingly acknowledged as a serious problem in recent years. According to the study of the Worth Health Organization, the number of HIV cases in Japan is at least 17,000.

In 2006, new cases reached a record high.

Official figures for July-October 2006 from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare showed that just over half of domestic HIV/AIDS cases were amongst homosexual men, with the remainder transmitted through heterosexual sex, drug abuse, in the womb or via unknown means.

Independent research has suggested that actual infection rates may be much higher, especially amongst the young.

Historically, HIV in Japan has been associated with tainted blood products. Overall awareness of sexually transmitted infection remains low.