Abstract
Okinawa is known for the longevity and high fertility of its inhabitants. However, the vital statistics for the years before 1972 are incomplete, and therefore, the mortality and fertility in Okinawa before 1972 were uncertain. In this presentation, I address two objectives. The first is to estimate the number of deaths and births in Okinawa from 1920 through 1935, and the second is to interpret the estimated mortality and fertility in Okinawa during that period by comparing them with those of other prefectures in Japan and by identifying the stage at which Okinawa was in the demographic transition model.
The results are as follows:
1.The schedule of mortality rates by the age of the inhabitants of Okinawa was high in the early and middle years of life and relatively low in old age when q0 and the life expectancy of Okinawans at 0, 15, and 65 years of age were compared with those from the other prefectures in Japan.
2.When the fertility rates in Okinawa obtained using Coale's fertility indices and those of other prefectures in Japan were compared, it was observed that the fertility in Okinawa was relatively high, which was attributed to the high marital fertility and low nuptiality. These structures of fertility were similar to those currently being reported.
3.The crude death rate, crude fertility rate, and infant mortality rate in Okinawa fluctuated around 23 per thousands, 38 per thousands, and 16 per thousands, whereas these three indices for the whole of Japan decreased. Okinawa was, therefore, at the first stage of the demographic transition model between 1920 and 1935.
