A prospective policy analysis of HIV/AIDS policies in Japanese multinational corporations in Asia

Background: Multinational corporations (MNCs) are coming to play a new role in the global initiatives on HIV/AIDS. However, the lack of HIV/AIDS policies and activities among Japanese MNCs is striking. I examine the present state of corporate HIV/AIDS policies among Japanese MNCs in Asian countries. I also explore gaps between the real state and the ideal state of the policies promoted by international organizations. Methods: This prospective policy analysis investigates why a policy endorsed by international organizations has not been successfully transferred to Japanese companies. Finally I present a set of policy options for corporate HIV/AIDS policies in Japanese MNCs, which are inferred from a series of analyses about the state of incongruities. The examination rests on a qualitative analysis of ethnographic case studies collected at an industrial city in northern Thailand from 1997 to 2006. Results: This study has found numerous policy gaps in the system of a corporate HIV/AIDS policy. International organizations promoted the concept of corporate social responsibility in their advocacy, which integrates a rights-based approach with a business approach; however, the values and interests of Japanese companies were rather basic: eliminating discrimination, preventing workplace disruption and avoiding the loss of employees. Conclusions: This study suggests that an HIV/AIDS policy has to be organized within the larger management system of the company--in the Japanese context, within the occupational safety and health policy. This study also proposes using a basic rights-based approach instead of the concept of social responsibility or business values.