404 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1947 



industry should also aid in providing food. In this connection, sal- 

 vaged United States landing craft have been turned over to Ryukyu 

 fishermen. 



Efforts are also being made to rebuild other Ryukyu industries, and 

 apparently the results have been satisfactory where raw materials 

 and in some cases salvaged equipment are obtainable. The Military 

 Government rehabilitation program envisages trebling the stone quar- 

 rying and woodworking production to meet high current needs ; build- 

 ing up the cement, Panama-hat, and lacquerware industries for export ; 

 eventually developing silk production to meet the local demand ; and 

 bringing back the ceramic, brick, dyeing, sulfur, and coal output to 

 prewar levels. The household crafts, such as mat making and linen 

 weaving, went back into production with less difficulty than other 

 industries. 



As early as September 1945 temporary elementary schools were or- 

 ganized. By early 1947, enrollment was as high as in 1937. High 

 schools and technical schools were being organized, and present labor 

 laws require school attendance until 18 years of age (Japanese) . School 

 texts have been mimeographed and distributed. Certainly the curric- 

 ula of present-day schools represent a decided change from prewar 

 days. In addition to educating the youth, special adult classes have 

 received practical instruction. Motor maintenance and repair, use of 

 heavy equipment, and preparation of unfamiliar imported foodtstuffs 

 are examples of this training program. 



Recently malaria, influenza, and trachoma have been the most preva- 

 lent communicable diseases. Before the war, malaria was endemic 

 only in certain areas of the Ryukyus, but the thorough shuffling of the 

 native population during and after the invasion has rendered the dis- 

 ease an island- wide problem. Mass immunizations for smallpox, dys- 

 entery, and diphtheria (see pi. 5, lower) have been carried out by 

 Military Government authorities. The prevalence of intestinal para- 

 sites and filariasis in the native population needs the attention of a co- 

 ordinated program, but will require sanitary measures to which the 

 Ryukyuans are unaccustomed. 



In early 1947, 25 Christian churches were holding services in the 

 Ryukyus, with about 200 more members than in 1937. (See p. 396.) 

 Attendance doubled by the end of that year. It will be interesting to 

 see whether or not a Christian philosophy can be successfully grafted 

 to the Ryukyu culture pattern. 



The rehabilitation of the Ryukyu people is proceeding apace under 

 American administration. The immediate goal is to make them econ- 

 omically self-sufficient. The ultimate problem is how to best facili- 

 tate the adjustment of a simple agricultural people to the modern 

 industrial world. 



