[/floatl]Yomiuri: Online novel teaches young Brazilians safe sex
An attempt to encourage young Brazilians living in Japan to practice safe sex by means of a cell phone novel in Portuguese is being promoted by a Tokyo-based incorporated nonprofit organization. The Assistance Service for Brazilians in Japan in Minato Ward, Tokyo, translated into Portuguese the Japanese novel "Love Communication" -- written by obstetrician-gynecologist Nahomi Sudo two years ago -- and began posting the translation for free in May on Web sites readable on cell phones and personal computers. The NPO plans to post newly translated installments twice a week and complete the full translation in a year. The novel is a love story between a female high school student and a male university student. It covers topics such as birth control, sexually transmitted diseases and frank communication on romantic relationship issues between the sexes. The translation is designed to be easily read by young people. Translations by Japanese staff are being rewritten by Brazilian volunteers living in Japan into Portuguese commonly used by young people. "Many Brazilian children are poorly informed about sexual topics, partly because of the Japanese-language barrier," said Akiko Chiba, secretary general of the NPO. "We decided to post the novel on cell phones in the hope that young people will learn about these issues by reading the novel."
