VSED - Prevalence in Japan

Nearly 10 years ago, a study found that one-third of Japanese home hospice physicians and palliative care specialists had cared for patients undergoing VSED. This accords with significant prevalence rates measured in Switzerland and the Netherlands. 

Now a new study of Japanese home care physicians and nurses largely confirms the earlier study. It finds that approximately one-fourth of these clinicians had experience with patients attempting VSED. 

Notably, 83% of patients who started VSED continued until completion. Yet, like researchers in other jurisdictions, the authors "hope that official guidelines will be established for the care of patients attempting VSED."

Note that the next World Federation Right to Die Conference will be in Tokyo in November 2026. This comes after the ICEL5 conference in Brisbane in April 2026.