This study aims at clarifying the changes in facility planning for Hansen's disease sanatoriums under the Leprosy Prevention Law based on a review of the literature. The results are as follows:
1) In the late 1940s, the national sanatoriums were planned to accommodate all Hansen's disease patients despite of the unnecessary isolation, as the result of developing effective therapeutic agents. The residents submitted a petition to the authorities to establish the Leprosy Research Center etc.
2) The nationwide organization of the residents negotiated improving the medical service and living environment, preparation for aging, income growth and so on, with the government..
3) In the fourth stage, the nationwide organization prioritized the serious cases by improving their living environment.
4) In the fifth stage, under the limited budgeting resources, an individual facility planning was implemented rather than standardized planning.
