Abstract
The primary problem in furthering kidney transplantation in Japan in that of secuing kidney donors. Thus, upon visiting Oyama-cho, Shizuoka, which has the highest number of eye donor registrations and the highest percentage of eye donations in Japan, we investigated the creative activities underway in this town.
The activities in the town center on the Lion's Club. The Oyama Lion's Club has been promoting an eye donation campaign since 1970, which includes, in addition to enthusiastic education in the town, notifying surgeons of offers of eyes, arrangement for transportation, funerals for eye donors, conveyance of acknowledgements to the bereaved families and maintenance of continued communicaton with them. Thus the club places importance on communication with the town's people.
Consequently, the concept of eye donation has been spread throughout the town, where many are inclined to think it natural to donate eyes, although there is some reluctance.
We think that the shortage of kidney donors in Japan can be ascribed mostly to Japanese views on life, death and morality, as well as sentiments including a traditional reverence for the dead. This sentiment of the Japanese does not seem to be changing. We believe that the primary problem in increasing kidney donors lies in changing this Japanese value. Having carried out a survey in Oyama-cho, we were convinced that such values can be changed gradually, until they are similar to those in Europe and America by enthusiastically promoting new ideas and educating the people. Such activities should be directed to establishing community promotional systems and sincere aftercare.
