[sumo] (Slightly OT) Japanese medical system (was: Asashoryu Likely Return To Mongolia)

[Joe Petrow]

On 8/21/07, Judith Douglas <jdouglas at nyc.rr.com> wrote:
> I was not commenting on heath care in Japan.  I was expressing concern
> and dismay that there seems to be nothing of substance in place as it
> relates to the rights of patients to keep their health care information
> private and secure when their consent to release this information has
> not been obtained.   The absence of consent is the same as no consent,
> so if a patient is not competent to provide consent, there is no
> consent.

This implies that no consent has been given.  Do you have proof or
reason to believe that this is the case?

In the absence of consent from the individual in question, does the
consent of a spouse or legal guardian suffice?

If so, does anyone know if an oyakata can act as a legal guardian in Japan?

  - Peterao