I’m concerned because two papas told me the same thing: Is it true that syphilis and similar STIs are currently spreading among club members?

Maezawa from the President’s Office here, answering as well. There have been warnings that syphilis cases have been increasing in Japan for several years. Apparently, this began around the same time the number of Chinese tourists started rising, so some people believe it spread along a path like: Chinese nationals → women working in the sex industry → Japanese women → Japanese women outside the sex industry The reason Universe recommends Partners Check is apparently that male members who are doctors told them that, since syphilis is increasing across Japan, Universe should take measures against it. Partners Check was introduced as a result. That said, I honestly don’t understand why the medical association doesn’t take syphilis treatment more seriously. Personally, I suspect that the medical association’s response—or lack thereof—may be one of the factors behind its spread. (If the medical association has been lobbying for it but the treatment still hasn’t been approved, then the government is to blame for not approving it.) What I mean is this: In Europe and the United States, the standard treatment for syphilis is an intramuscular injection of benzathine penicillin G (BPG). A single injection is enough to achieve an effective treatment outcome, but Japan currently has no injectable BPG available. More precisely, it used to be available, but disappeared. Why would such an effective medication no longer be available? Some of you may have heard of “penicillin allergy.” It is said that, in the past, an important person in Japan died from an allergic reaction to a penicillin injection, causing penicillin to be vilified and eventually discontinued. Drug allergies inevitably occur to some extent, but most people can use these medications safely. Although the emergency treatment after the allergic reaction was inadequate, Japan’s fear of penicillin allergies has caused its syphilis treatment to diverge from the global standard. Long-term oral treatment with amoxicillin—taking it every day for four weeks—can also be effective. However, when comparing a treatment that requires patients to take medication for an extended period with one that can be completed with a single injection, I believe the single-injection treatment is more reliable. Anyway, I’ve gotten off topic, but I think the correct conclusion is that syphilis is spreading not within Universe, but throughout Japan as a whole.

I’m Fuu, a columnist. I don’t think syphilis can be said to be widespread within the club. Even if one papa were dating five women, and two papas together were dating ten female members who all had syphilis, that would still be only 10 out of the club’s 7,000 registered members—about 0.1%. It doesn’t seem like you’ve contracted syphilis either, so given that only a few female members appear to have it, I don’t think it can be called an outbreak. I have seen online news reports saying that, across Japanese society as a whole, syphilis—which had previously been under control—has started increasing again. It can be cured with medication if detected early, but it can become serious if left untreated, so we should all be careful.

I’m Saito, the club’s columnist♪ I think it tends to happen mainly during the change of seasons—around April to May and September to October. Perhaps it’s because of the increase in bacteria and changes in people’s lifestyles around those times... So I don’t think it’s limited to people within the club.

I’m Taro, a male member. Oh, really? But I’ve only met a small fraction of Universe’s 7,000 female members, so it doesn’t feel like something that concerns me personally. I’m actually more curious whether there are enough offers to cause clusters among members. Still, I think it’s probably a rare case. If you’re ending up with nothing but those kinds of papas (male supporters), there might be an issue with your portfolio.