HIV positive foreigners in Japan

A very interesting English language news report from N-H-K about foreigners in Japan who are HIV positive and the services that are available to them:

Unlike countries such as South Korea, Japan does not have a policy requiring HIV tests for foreigners and HIV-positive foreigners are not stripped of their visas. Making sure Japan’s HIV-positive foreign residents get proper care is an important issue.

According to the video, about 1,900 foreigners in Japan are known to have HIV or AIDS. Most of those cases involve people from Southeast Asia. Since there is a considerable number of Southeast Asians who are in Japan as migrant workers, there is a danger that those in the community who lack proper health insurance may avoid seeking medical care.

[via JapanSoc]

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13 comments - What do you think? Posted by James - January 4, 2010 at 6:35 am

Categories: Foreigners in Japan Tags:

Vagante

“it does not seem that those who test positive are not stripped of their visas.”

At the moment this reads that those who test positive may be stripped of their visas. Is that what you meant?
http://www.squidoo.com/Ryoma-Sakamoto Eric

Once again, thanks to Japan Probe, we learn that Japan is a fair, reasonable and kind country, unlike it’s neighbor–that nasty South Korea!

Unga Bunga

They see me trollin’, they hatin’…..
http://www.japanprobe.com James

I mentioned it as an example because it is a neighboring country and I am aware of the issue because I follow several Korea blogs. It seemed relevant to include, as Japan is in a somewhat similar immigration situation but has chosen a different policy.
Roppongi Health

Tests might not be required for all visa types in Korea, but true that some of poorer countries have these tests as HIV patients might be too expensive for their health care. Australia and Canada as well, which are large migrant recipient countries.
http://www.japanprobe.com/2010/01/04/hiv-positive-foreigners-in-japan/#comments 東洋人

What about your own country wherever you from, i think before critizising others, it’s better to evaluate yourself…but Japan sure has showed a good example to countries around the globe in tackling HIV and aids.

HamachiMan

Again, another example which refutes the stereotype of Japan as, well, you know how it goes.

I assume though that some will spin it that Japanese officials are being reckless. AIDs is still a dangerous killer regardless of any medical advances made.

Stormgust

“dangerous killer” as long as there is no medical care.
With proper medical care, the life expectancy of AIDs patients is nearly as high as those of normal People.
Also, under proper medical care (i.e. an ongoing therapy) the risk of transmitting AIDs during unprotected sexual intercourse, is incredible low. (under normal circumstances, you will most likely get not infected)

Right now, the deadliest part about AIDs is, that it’s still regarded as a “dangerous killer”, which is only true for Countries WITHOUT proper medical care. Additionaly, all those regulations only lead to silence about their infections, i.e. they run a higher risk of infecting others.

asdafdfasfasffda

Finland shouold get this AIDS/hiv filter too.
ita-man

I’m glad that Japan doesn’t strip foreigners of their visas but they should test them if they’re positive of HIV. That way, they can provide all the necessary support immediately and lower the risk of the disease from spreading in the country. People who say that this act violates freedom are just stupid.
KonaYuki

It’s great Japan has this kind of program, but Korea is Korea, Japan is Japan, this is JAPANprobe. What South Korea does is not important. I actually think stripping visa’s off foreigners with HIV is a good idea…only the ones that decide to stay and party and cause trouble and spread the disease….but if its a hard working person, then maybe….

In Tokyo

Why should anyone with HIV be stripped of their visa? Do you feel the same if they get cancer from smoking, find out they have a heart condition from over-eating, etc.? It is hard to believe that after all these years, people still look down on those with HIV as if they deserve to be treated badly for having it. Shame on you.

JTL

Every time South Korea mentioned in this blog, it’s mostly negative.

See for yourself, Type in “Korea” in the search box above.

See what the result is. Mostly negative and a few neutral.

HIV positive foreigners in Japan

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