Ryūhei Kawada

Ryūhei Kawada (川田 龍平) is a Japanese activist, haemophiliac and member of the House of Councillors (Japan). Ryūhei Kawada became famous for coming out as HIV positive in Japan, where doing so was considered taboo by many.

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.

Political career
In the 2007 Japanese House of Councillors election, 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.

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)

Photographs and videos of his campaign

 * Flickr: Ryuhei Kawada on the campaign trail
 * Flickr: Ryuhei Kawada
 * Youtube: Ryuhei Kawada