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More than 450 Japanese have gone abroad for organ transplants, largely to China, adding to concern over reported deaths from botched surgeries there.

Surgeons carry out a kidney transplant
© AFP/File Jaafar Ashtiy

TOKYO (AFP) - The head of the government survey said surgeons believed there was a lack of information about the quality of organs in other Asian countries including China, which has been accused of harvesting body parts from executed prisoners.

"Especially in East Asian countries, donor information is often insufficient, causing risks for recipient patients who are sent from Japanese hospitals," said Jichi Medical School professor Eiji Kobayashi.

"The alleged use of prisoners' organs in China is a serious problem, but we don't want to blame China alone as other Asian countries except for South Korea also failed to provide donor information," he told AFP.

The survey of Japanese hospitals, conducted in January and February, found that at least 453 patients have gone abroad for transplants of hearts, kidneys and livers.

China was the leading destination for kidney transplants followed by the Philippines and the United States, the survey found. For liver transplants, the United States and Australia were the most popular followed by China.

Japan has a backlog of thousands of patients waiting for transplants due to strict laws on donating organs.

Japan's health ministry has launched an investigation after reports that at least seven Japanese died due to transplants in China.

Malaysian media also said a number of patients had died after transplants in China.

China has defended its record, saying it has "rigorous" laws in place.

However, human rights groups have long accused China of taking the organs of prisoners without their consent -- sometimes while they are still alive.

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