Ryūhei Kawada
Ryuhei Kawada 川田 龍平 | |
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Member of the House of Councillors | |
Assumed office 29 July 2007 | |
Constituency | Tokyo (2007–2013) nationwide proportional (2013–) |
Personal details | |
Born | Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan | January 12, 1976
Political party | Your Party |
Spouse | Mika Tsutsumi (2008–present) |
Alma mater | Tokyo Keizai University |
Website | http://ryuheikawada.jp/ |
Ryuhei Kawada (川田 龍平, Kawada Ryūhei, January 12, 1976) is a Japanese activist, haemophiliac, and member of the House of Councillors. Ryuhei Kawada became famous for the first coming-out Japanese person of HIV positive.
HIV-tainted blood scandal in Japan
In the late 1980s, between one and two thousand Japanese patients with haemophilia contracted HIV via tainted blood products. Upon discovering he was one of the affected, Ryuhei Kawada joined the lawsuit against Green Cross Corporation that provided the tainted blood products, which eventually led to the guilty pleas from three executives in 1997.[1]
Political career
In the Japanese House of Councillors election, 2007, Kawada won a seat in the House of Councillors. He has expressed a desire to work on issues of health, welfare, and labour. He has also indicated he will form a Green Party of Japan based on the Rainbow and Greens which supported his campaign. He belonged to Your Party in December 2009.
References
External links
- Ryuhei Kawada official campaign supporters' website
Articles about Ryuhei Kawada (in English)
- Japan Times (2007-07-13): Novice candidates have issues
- Asahi (2007-07-23): Cover Story: Signs of change
- Boston Globe via Japan Society: Ryuhei Kawada
- Statement to Global Young Greens meeting, January 2007 (in English)