Hello everyone,
I have to write a term paper about how Japanese government responded to the AIDS pandemic, but there is very little information in the library that is up to date, and AIDS data changes so fast, I can't use any of them. I would really appreciate any help from members here who live in Japan.
If you live in Japan, is there any chance you can send me current pamphlets/ other AIDS-education related materials? I will be happy to mail money order for the postage cost and any other expenses related to acquiring the AIDS-education materials. If you are kind enough to help me out, please PM me, or e-mail me at raccoon@uvic.ca and I will give you my postal address.
If that's too inconvinient, I would apprecaite any comment on the folloing observations:
I've read a few articles about AIDS/ HIV having a late start in Asia, and that Japanese government had kept his head in the sand until it's too late. According to one source, the Japanese government banned media coverage on HIV cases in Japan early in the epidemic, and denied some of the earliest reports of death due to AIDS.
According to another source, AIDS-education materials in Japan before 1997 were mostly finger-pointing material, attributing AIDS to foreigners, especially foreign sex workers. Is that still how it is nowadays? Or has that changed?
One AIDS-education article/ illustration on Asahi shimbun (pre-1997) also seem to suggest that monogamous sex is safe sex, without paying any attention to the (I assume) fact that uwagi is quite common in Japan, especially for business men. I personally read it as misinformation that house wife can feel safe from HIV as long as she only sleeps with her husband, and that she won't need condom protection. The writer then inform us that in Japan, wife has no legal right to refuse sex or demand condom use from her husband, even if she suspects he might have contracted HIV; is it still true now? (or was it ever true?)
The same article also point out that (before 1997) there were virtually no AIDS education material that targets homosexual audience. Is that still how it is?
When I was chatting with fellow university classmate from Japan (who moved to Canada for 6 years now) about enjo kousai, and I ask her if the kids were ever concerned about AIDS, she actually told me "Unlike Canada, AIDS is not a problem in Japan." Is that attitude still common in Japan? Or is there a higher level of awareness now?
Also, according to a few sources, Japanese government had forced blood screening of foreigners, and deported many of them when they are found to be HIV positive (early 90's). Any comment about this approach?
For those of you who are living in Japan now, what is the AIDS-awareness like in general public? How is it politicized? What's the stigma attached to it?
Lastly, I am under the impression that homosexuality has always been tolerated in Japan, but seldom if ever talked about. Is it true? Have you seen any AIDS related info that targets homosexual audience in Japan?
Any comments welcome. Thanx in advance!
-Cody