The Management of Health Care and Hygiene in Hong Kong under the Japanese Occupation: Using Honkon Nippo as the Main Reference

Abstract

The current perception of the Japanese occupation in Hong Kong remains extremely negative, which deserves further academic investigation. Generally, Hong Kong society experienced a tough time during the occupation, when most people suffered from losing home, starvation and holocausts because of the war. However, besides the crudity and rudeness of the Japanese occupation, how Japan administered Hong Kong remains a question, which requires more academic review. Nevertheless, discussions in the academia nowadays seem to be easily trapped in negative criticism. A more balanced historical understanding has yet been generated. For example, criticism of lacking drugs or medical support has dominated the main narrative about health care and hygiene without examination from other perspective. Although the Japanese occupation brought Hong Kong a cruel rule, the government had changed the roles it played in medical and sanitary affairs. Such changes carry historic meanings to Hong Kong society in the post-war period. In order to draw a comprehensive picture of the history, this article sheds new light on understanding the history of Hong Kong under the Japanese occupation by focusing on the administrative system of health care and hygiene.