The syphilis epidemic in Japan is something that has featured on this blog countless times. Just last year, we wrote about its alarming further growth. We wish we had something more positive to share with readers, but the news just keeps getting worse. The total number of cases in 2023 has already exceeded 10,000 -- the fastest time this has ever occurred. Medical experts are advising people to get tested even if they exhibit no symptoms in an effort to stop the spread of the disease. Cases hit 10,103 on September 3, according to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. That is a ...

The growing problem of syphilis in Japan is not new: we've been writing about it for years now. But it simples that it won't get better any time soon. Just when you think cases can't rise anymore or that the coronavirus pandemic would at least slow its relentless spread, along comes the latest batch of statistics to prove you wrong. We are only a quarter of the way through the year but number of cases of syphilis in Japan is already up yet again, reports the Mainichi. Compared to the same period last year -- whose overall figure reached a record high -- the number of syphilis cases has ...

Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases announced the grim news on December 14 that cases of syphilis were at a historic high in the country. This year's number of reported syphilis cases hit 7,134 from January to December 5. The number is the highest since measurements began. Syphilis is increasing nationwide, though Tokyo, Osaka, and surrounding areas saw a particular surge in reported cases: Tokyo led the pack with 2,226 cases, followed by Osaka with 761 and Aichi with 379. In terms of per-population rates, though, the rural prefectures of Kochi, Okayama, and Miyazaki had the ...

As we know, attitudes towards safe sex and sex education are somewhat lacking in Japan. Condoms are merely for preventing pregnancies, that's presuming the guys even stop to worry about that. Judging by how many shotgun weddings there are even among famous celebrities, it seems that "do first, think later" is often the rule after a few drinks and a trip to a love hotel. What can you do to protect yourself? Well, condoms are a solution and a love hotel will always provide at least one for you. What about getting tested for STDs or STIs? After all, syphilis is on the rise and HIV ...