The number of new HIV infections in Japan rose to a new quarterly record of 274 in the July-September quarter, breaking the previous high of 270 just set in April-June, a health ministry panel has announced.
Also, the number of new AIDS patients counted during the three-month period became the second-highest on record on a quarterly basis at 114, according to the survey by the AIDS Trend Committee of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry.
"The study underlines the continuing upward trend of HIV infection," said Aikichi Iwamoto, a University of Tokyo professor who heads the committee. "The major route of transmission is sexual contact, and we fear that correct prevention measures are not being taken."
Of the 274 new HIV victims, 93 percent, or 254, were male.
By transmission route, 64 percent, or 174 people, were infected via male-to-male sexual contact, while 17 percent, or 47 people, were infected via sexual intercourse between men and women. Roughly 70 percent were in their 20s or 30s.
Among the 114 AIDS patients, 101 people, or 89 percent, were male. Forty-eight people developed AIDS as a result of male-female sexual contact.