Health > Intergovernmental conference of Far-Eastern countries on rural hygiene : preparatory papers : report of Japan

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II. RURAL RECONSTRUCTION AND COLLABORATION
OF THE POPULATION.
In cities, towns and villages there are health unions which,
in co-operation with the authorities, act on their own initiative
in health matters, in addition to their usual work of medical
relief and prevention of infectious diseases. At present, these
unions number 64,960.
In view of the rural depression, the Government established,
in 1932, a five-year plan for the rehabilitation of rural economy
by promoting local industry and reassuring public opinion,
thereby improving conditions in the mountainous districts and
fishing regions. Under this plan, 6,599 districts have been
designated for five years as towns and villages of economic
rehabilitation. In these districts, definite plans for the solution
of problems relating to industry, economy, education and social
work are to be devised and put into practice for a few years.
From these towns and villages, certain districts have been chosen
since 1936 as model towns and villages to which special assistance
is being given for the rapid realisation of economic plans, thus
enabling other towns and villages to follow suit as circumstances
permit. While enforcing these plans, the local authorities are
also endeavouring to adopt schemes for health and sanitation.
Considerable progress in the latter field has been noted in the
most advanced districts.
Since the adoption of these measures, the co-operative
societies have strengthened their position, and, consequently,
there has been continual establishment of rural dispensaries and
hospitals attached to the societies. In 1935, these institutions
numbered 154. In large localities, there are also associations for
medical treatment, including a central hospital and a dispensary
in each district.
The co-operative societies are economic bodies established in
the spirit of mutual aid and the town and village authorities
co-operate in their economic rehabilitation plans. When
collaborating with agricultural associations and industrial
bodies, schools, shrines, temples, youths’ associations, women’s
clubs and other educational bodies, as well as health groups,