Descriptive epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in Japan, 1985-1994

The HIV epidemic in Japan appears to be following a unique course, with no predominance of homosexual contact over heterosexual contact in reported cases and relatively little transmission by injection drug users and commercial sex workers. Infection rates are still low compared with those in southeast Asia and Western countries: 404 cases of nonhemophiliac AIDS (287 Japanese, 117 foreigners) and 1,441 cases of nonhemophiliac HIV infection (634 Japanese, 807 foreigners) were reported as of the end of 1994. Nevertheless, the numbers are increasing and the importance of targeted prevention programs is clear, particularly among those at higher risk because of sexual practices, such as homosexual men and commercial sex workers and their clients, or because of injection drug use. More data are needed to assess the impact of HIV/AIDS in Japan. These should include surveillance data as well as results from epidemiologic and behavioral studies.