Miho Tanaka Senior researcher - Japan Medical Association Research Institute |
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01.07.2019-29.07.2019
Current Debate Regarding End of Life Care Including Euthanasia and Withdrawing Treatment in Japan and Trends of Worldwide Euthanasia
The applicant uses the method of comprehensive literature review regarding euthanasia and forgoing LST in Japan and other countries. The objectives are 1) to analyze the research concerning euthanasia and withdrawal of LST cases in Japan and clarify current ethical, social, political and legal challenges and 2) to compare the current situation about end of life care in Japan and that of other countries. The current project can contribute the debate of end of life care including euthanasia toward 2020s.
In addition to the Western countries including the Benelux countries and North America, the applicant would like to search situations in Korea and Taiwan where governments passed legislation of forgoing LST but the debate of euthanasia is in a slump. In the near future, the applicant will use the outcome to make a questionnaire of public attitudes in Asian countries toward end of life care including euthanasia and withdrawal of LST.
Japan Medical Association Research Institute
Senior researcher
I work as a senior researcher at the Japan Medical Association Research Institute (JMARI) since 2013. I received my master’s degree (Master of Public Health) from Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo in 2012. I’m also a member of Medical Ethics and Patient Safety Laboratory, Keio Research Institute at SFC, Keio University. My master thesis’s theme was “An Analysis of the Current State of Pediatric Palliative Care in England”.
My research interests are ethical, social and legal issues around end-of-life care in Japan, other western and Asian countries, including UK, USA, Korea and Taiwan. More recently, my colleagues and I have collaborated internationally on a project “ethical and legal issues around end-of-life care in East Asia. Not only western countries but also several Asian countries, such as Taiwan and Korea, enacted forgoing life-sustaining treatments (LSTs), but Japan has never passed such a law. On the other hands, no countries in Asia legalise euthanasia. In Japan, a slippery slope to vulnerable people, including disabled people and patients with intractable diseases, has been brought out in end-of-life care debate.
I recently published an academic book in Japanese “Choices at the End of Life” in collaboration with my colleague. The book includes contents of thinking about your EOL, PEG in a super-aged society, choosing the treatment options at EOL and letting it be known, care at the Dying Stage, palliative care, should we allow active euthanasia or not, suicide tourism, and withdrawal of LSTs.
I also had worked as a journalist at the newspaper company in 1996-2008. I had reported various themes such as child abuse, domestic violence, long-term care insurance et al.
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