The podcast discusses the progress and challenges in ending AIDS as a major public health threat. It also explores the lack of regulation in Japan's porn industry and how China uses UNESCO world-heritage status to rewrite the history of its periphery.
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Quick takeaways
Access to treatment and prevention methods pose challenges in combating HIV, including lack of awareness, stigmas, and barriers in implementing preventive measures.
Japan's new regulations aim to protect porn industry performers, but concerns remain about effectiveness and compatibility with industry practices. Dialogue about consent and sexual rights is necessary.
Deep dives
The Challenges of HIV Treatment and Prevention
Despite the progress made in combating HIV, there are still significant challenges in ensuring access to treatment and prevention methods. Many people with HIV are unaware of their status and therefore remain untreated, leading to continued transmission. Additionally, societal stigmas and lack of support can hinder individuals from adhering to treatment regimens. Furthermore, while preventive methods like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) exist, they face barriers in implementation, particularly for women in regions where HIV is prevalent. Long-lasting injections could be a game-changer, allowing for routine administration and potentially preventing a new generation from acquiring the virus.
Regulating Japan's Porn Industry
Japan's porn industry has operated in a legal gray area for decades, resulting in exploitation and abuse. Without official regulations, individuals have been subjected to coerced participation and sexual acts against their will. Recent legislation aims to protect performers by requiring contracts and granting the ability to remove videos within a year. However, there are concerns about the law's effectiveness and compatibility with industry practices. Dialogue about consent and sexual rights is needed to ensure the well-being of those involved in the industry and address broader societal attitudes towards sex work.
China's Use of UNESCO to Stake Dubious Claims
China strategically exploits UNESCO to assert territorial claims by registering sites and cultural practices as Chinese heritage. This serves as a way to legitimize control over borderlands and regions with ethnic minorities. By rewriting China's history, the Chinese Communist Party aims to establish a narrative of enduring Chinese presence in historically contested areas. While UNESCO's approval holds significance in Asia, its actual impact may be limited. Nevertheless, China's engagement with UNESCO helps shape international perceptions and contributes to the political objectives of the Chinese state.
Many of the pieces are in place to bring the disease entirely under control—but our correspondent finds it will take more than advances in medication. Japan’s government has at last begun to regulate the country’s notorious pornography; we examine a sector emerging from the shadows (11:07). And how China uses UNESCO world-heritage status to rewrite the history of its periphery (18:38).
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