Gay men and HIV in Japan

Abstract

Unique aspects of Japanese culture have shaped the response of homosexual men to HIV infection in Japan. Japan is a relatively homogeneous society that has, by and large, felt invulnerable to AIDS, viewing it primarily as a Western phenomenon. This attitude has been common in the gay community as well and has resulted in some gay men engaging in high-risk behavior. Among those who have contracted HIV, there is often a sense of denial, so men often do not seek help until they develop AIDS. However, many motivated gay men in Japan are establishing prevention programs geared toward the gay community. In many cases, these programs are modeled on those developed by community groups in the United States but are adapted to Japanese culture. Cooperation and collaboration with governmental prevention programs, a new concept to the gay community in Japan, is proving to be mutually beneficial in reaching a high-risk population.