TOKYO – Japan confirmed 890 new HIV carriers and AIDS patients in 2025, down by 104 from the previous year and the second-lowest total in the past two decades, the health ministry said Wednesday.
The number of newly reported HIV carriers fell by 38 to 624, the lowest level in 20 years, while new AIDS cases declined by 66 to 266.
Same-sex sexual contact was the most commonly reported route of infection, accounting for 404 HIV cases and 139 AIDS cases.
By age group, people in their 20s recorded the highest number of new HIV cases at 219, followed by those in their 30s with 216.
Among newly reported AIDS patients, those aged 50 and above accounted for the largest group with 86 cases, followed by people in their 30s with 73.
Japan also recorded 107,083 HIV antibody tests in 2025, while related consultations fell for a second straight year to 73,359.