Abstract: Since the Meiji period, cholera has been rampant in Japan several times. The Ministry of Internal Affairs adjusted the health administration, and the initial construction was quite effective, but the epidemic situation was handled slowly, and the police intervened to assist in handling it. After the formation of path dependence, lazy political thinking appeared in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, unwilling to explore more preventive measures. Although the local epidemic prevention system is gradually improved, the effect is not good due to the mismatch between the power of affairs and the power of finance. The health police model launched by Tokyo gradually penetrated into the local area. The health administrative department adjusts measures at any time according to the development of the epidemic situation and the operation of the department. With the efforts of Nagayose, local health trade unions work in concert with the police and epidemic prevention infrastructure projects to form a complete epidemic prevention system.

Key words: Japan, infectious diseases, epidemic prevention system, public health, Meiji period