Full Description
Organ Donation in Japan: A Medical Anthropological Study by Maria-Keiko Yasuoka reveals insight into Japan as the country with the most severe organ shortages and the lowest numbers of organ donations among medically advanced countries. The history of organ transplantation in Japan is a unique and troubled one. Many academic hypotheses such as cultural barriers, the Japanese concept of the dead body, traditional beliefs, and so on have been advanced to explain the situation. However, little research has yet revealed the truth behind the world of Japanese organ transplantation. Yasuoka conducts direct interview research with Japanese "concerned parties" in regards to organ transplantation (including transplant surgeons, recipients, and donor families). In this book, she analyzes their narrative responses, considering their distinctive ideas, interpretations, and dilemmas, and sheds light on the real reasons behind the issues. Organ Donation in Japan is the first book to delve into the challenging and taboo Japanese concepts of life and death surrounding organ transplantation by thoroughly presenting and investigating the narratives of concerned parties.
Contents
List of Figures
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1Narratives of Transplant Surgeons and Coordinators
Chapter 2Narratives of Recipients
Chapter 3Narratives of Donor Families
Chapter 4The Buds of Interrelationships among Concerned Parties
Chapter 5Transforming Concepts of Life
ConclusionRebirthable Life
AfterwordMy Father's Funeral in Japan, August 2014
AppendixJapanese Organ Transplantation Law
Bibliography
About the Author
