Health and welfare in Japan
2019; Elsevier BV; Volume: 394; Issue: 10209 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/s0140-6736(19)31805-7
ISSN1474-547X
AutoresHiroyasu Ino, Eisuke Nakazawa, Akira Akabayashi,
Tópico(s)Health Promotion and Cardiovascular Prevention
ResumoRichard Horton1Horton R Offline: Japan—rich nation, big questions.Lancet. 2019; 3931682Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar noted that Japan should incentivise inward migration. However, from a public health ethics perspective, the welfare of immigrants represent central challenges for immigration policies in Japan. Although we are pro-immigration, the welfare of immigrants must be considered. For example, one challenge is the protection of immigrants' health. Tuberculosis has been observed among foreign exchange students who come to Japan hoping to work or attain certain skills.2Tokyo Metropolitan GovernmentAnnouncement of the group infection of tuberculosis.http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/tosei/hodohappyo/press/2018/07/13/03.htmlDate: July 12, 2018Date accessed: May 2, 2019Google Scholar Many who come to Japan as part of a study abroad or practicum3NHKTrying to recruit care workers from Philippines.https://www.nhk.or.jp/kokusaihoudou/archive/2019/03/0314.htmlDate: March 14, 2019Date accessed: May 2, 2019Google Scholar develop poor health due to the demands of language study, long working hours, and poor living conditions. In April, 2019, the Japanese Government changed its policy, and now requires immigrants to provide proof of non-infection before they leave their own countries.4The Yomiuri ShimbunTokyo Olympic: preventing infectious disease.https://www.yomiuri.co.jp national/20190730-OYT1T50013/Date: July 30, 2019Date accessed: August 3, 2019Google Scholar The use of screening is understandable, and is also done in other countries such as the USA.5Gostin LO Monahan JT Kaldor J et al.The legal determinants of health: harnessing the power of law for global health and sustainable development.Lancet. 2019; 393: 1857-1910Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (117) Google Scholar However, if this screening mandate becomes a mechanism that denies immigration, then Japan's isolation from other countries will only increase. This screening should be used to proactively provide health care to immigrants. For example, if an immigrant takes their course of antituberculosis medication, and then comes to Japan as an inactive-carrier, would it not be possible for them to undergo close monitoring and receive further care? This would be a great opportunity for them to live with this disease while working in Japan. In its immigration policy making, Japan must consider these aspects related to health and welfare and open its doors to all people without prejudice. AA is president of the Japan Association for Bioethics. This Correspondence reflects the author's personal academic analyses and opinions and does not represent the Japan Association for Bioethics' official position. All other authors declare no competing interests. Health and welfare in JapanRichard Horton's1 Comment about Japan's new Reiwa era was interesting. However, I am a bit dissatisfied with Horton's reticence on the nuclear accident in Fukushima, Japan. Full-Text PDF Offline: Japan—rich nation, big questionsUnusual as it might seem in a post-everything world, Japan is welcoming (and pondering the meaning of) a new imperial era. The Reiwa period begins on May 1, 2019, with the accession of Crown Prince Naruhito as the country's 126th Emperor. There is some uncertainty about the meaning of Reiwa, but the official translation is "beautiful harmony". The end of Emperor Akihito's Heisei period is a useful moment to reflect on Japan's future. Japan is a "great power"—a member of the G7 and G20, and the world's third largest economy. Full-Text PDF Health and welfare in JapanRichard Horton1 offers a candid observation of the important ecological, sociocultural, economic, and demographic issues that challenge the new emperor's pledge for Japan's Reiwa era. Full-Text PDF
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