世論 What Japan Thinks

[part 1] [part 2]

goo Research recently performed a large investigation into HIV and AIDS awareness amongst the Japanese. 38,474 people supplied answers to the questions posted in an open to the public internet-based survey, availiable for a week at the end of November. The demographics were 2.7% 19 or under, 25.4% between 20 and 29, 39.8% from 30 to 39, 22.8% between 40 and 49, 7.2% between 50 and 59, and 2.3% sixty and over.

One of the more interesting results is the figure that almost one in three blame foreigners or Japanese playing around overseas as the reason for the increase in AIDS cases in Japan. This is an important figure to note, as it is an often recited statistic that a big number of Japanese blame foreigners for nasty diseases, an attitude I feel is a bit racist, especially as it usually comes from people who complain about discrimination from the Japanese. Whether or not 31.7% does represent a big number, and from that 31.7% how many are worried about the Japanese playing away from home versus the foreigner contingent, I’ll leave that for others to discuss.

Also of note are the condom usage statistics. Unfortunately, those in monogamous relationships are not listed separately, as that certainly affects usage rate, as does the low rate of usage of The Pill (must find some stats on that!).

Q1: Do you know that the numbers of HIV positive and AIDS patients in Japan is increasing? (Sample size=38,747)

I know	57.7%
I sort of know	33.7%
Don’t know	8.7%

Q2: What is your opinion about the increasing numbers? (Sample size=38,474)

It’s an important problem, and I think it can happen to someone close to me	50.5%
It’s an important problem, but I don’t think it can happen to someone close to me	31.3%
There’s many different diseases, so I don’t think it’s important	13.1%
It’s nothing to do with me, so I don’t think it’s important	2.3%
Don’t know	2.5%
Other	0.4%

Teenage women were the ones most likely to feel that HIV and AIDS is something close to them, at 63.4%, whereas 40 to 44 year old women were the least likely, at 45.9%.

Q3: How concerned are you about HIV and AIDS? (Sample size=38,474)

Extremely concerned	10.4%
Somewhat concerned	55.4%
Not very concerned	32.6%
Not concerned at all	1.9%

Q4: Why do you think the number of HIV and AIDS cases are increasing? (Sample size=38,474, multiple answer)

Because Japanese’ sexual habits have become more liberated	63.7%
Because knowledge of preventing the spread of HIV is lacking	63.1%
Because of insufficient education on methods of prevention	54.6%
Because people don’t use condoms	46.2%
Because more people travelling abroad, and more overseas travellers coming to Japan	31.7%
Because there’s currently no vaccine or other treatment	29.3%
Because it’s increasing worldwide	23.1%
Other	2.1%

Q5: Are you yourself anxious about contracting HIV? (Sample size=38,474)

Extremely anxious	5.4%
Rather anxious	29.5%
Not very anxious	44.6%
Not anxious at all	16.7%
Don’t know	3.9%

Q6: Do you (or your partner) use a condom during intercourse? (Sample size=38,474)

Always	21.5% (to SQ1)
Mostly	22.3% (to SQ1)
Not usually	11.4% (to SQ1)
Never	17.9% (to SQ2)
Don’t have intercourse	10.8%
Other	1.8%
Don’t want to answer	14.3%

The above figures are the answers for the whole survey population, so no distinction is made between, for example, non-usage due to being in a monogamous relationship versus due to not liking using them, but see a later question that goes some way to disambiguating these figures. Note also that 10% are not having sex!

Q6SQ1: Why do you (or your partner) use a condom during intercourse? (Sample size=21,258, multiple answer)

Pregnancy prevention	94.3%
HIV prevention	30.9%
Other	6.4%
No particular reason	2.1%
Don’t want to answer	0.6%

Note that there was not a specific option for prevention of other diseases – chlamydia is pretty rife in Japan, for instance.

Q6SQ2: Why don’t you (or your partner) use a condom during intercourse? (Sample size=6,883, multiple answer)

Because my partner is not infected, I don’t think they are needed	42.9%
Because they dull the feelings	13.6%
Because they’re awkward to use	10.0%
Because my partner hates them	9.7%
Because I can’t be bothered	6.0%
Because it’s difficult to buy condoms	3.3%
Because I don’t think they protect against HIV	0.5%
Other	23.7%
No particular reason	15.5%
Don’t want to answer	3.8%

Q7: If you thought you could have contracted HIV, what would you do? (Sample size=38,747, multiple answer)

Take a test at a hospital or clinic	53.7%
Consult with a hospital or clinic	49.8%
Take a test at a health care centre	35.2%
Consult with a health care centre	29.9%
Consult with an NGO or volunteer group	9.1%
Nothing	0.8%
Other	0.8%
Don’t know	3.7%

[part 1] [part 2]