Abstract
This paper analyzed infectious disease epidemics and hygiene measures in Okinawa in the late Meiji era (1890-1910s). The main materials are newspaper materials and records of hygiene inspections by Matsushita Teiji (Professor, Kyoto University). In Okinawa in the Meiji era, old customs and patient concealment against infectious disease epidemics were deep-rooted. On the other hand, in the latter half of the Meiji era, acceptance of basic epidemic prevention measures (cleanliness and isolation) can be seen. The background to this is Okinawa’s assimilation policy, which began after the Sino-Japanese War, and the dissemination of information through newspapers. In addition, the movement of people to Taiwan, which became a colony of modern Japan, became active, which greatly affected the epidemic of infectious diseases in Okinawa.
