The ambiguity about death in Japan: an ethical implication for organ procurement

In the fatter half of the twentieth century, developed countries of the the world have made tremendous strides in organ donation and transplantation. However, in this area of medicine, Japan has been slow to follow. Japanese ethics, deeply rooted in religion and tradition, have affected their outloo k on life and death. Because the Japanese have only recently started to ack nowledge the concept of brain death, transplantation of major organs has be en hindered in that country. Currently there is a dual definition of death in Japan, intended to satisfy, both sides of the issue. This interesting pa radox, which still stands to be fully, resolved, illustrates the contentiou s conflict between medical ethics and medical progress in Japan.