This paper examines the National Physical Fitness Law, a legal measure implemented in wartime Japan to enhance the physical fitness of the population, perceived as a human resource. Enacted in 1940, the National Physical Fitness Law is significant in that it was the first law to legally mandate physical fitness tests for the population and to legislate physical fitness. Particularly, it reflects the changes in the wartime system according to the progress of the war, and tracking this process well illustrates the state’s perspective on the physical fitness of its citizens.
This study analyzes the National Physical Fitness Law by dividing it into three stages. The first stage, from 1936 to 1939, involves the period when the necessity of national management of physical fitness was raised and preparations for legislation were underway. During this stage, the elements and scope of the physical fitness required by the state, as well as the most important age range, were subjects of discussion. The second stage is the period when the law was enacted following the approval of the Imperial Diet. Specific details are identified by combining the order of implementation and the main provisions of the National Physical Fitness Law. The final stage, from 1943 to 1945, is when the law was revised, significantly strengthening its objectives and management measures. Due to the prolonged Sino-Japanese War and the outbreak of the Pacific War, the physical fitness of the population, as a human resource, became increasingly important. In line with this, the National Physical Fitness Law expanded its scope of application and strengthened management measures through the Kenmin Training.
The National Physical Fitness Law changed in close connection with the strengthening of the wartime regime. This is why it cannot be viewed as a law with a single character. As the role of the population as a human resource became increasingly important in terms of labor and military force, the National Physical Fitness Law transformed according to the immediate challenges. Consequently, the law, which initially began with a focus on the ‘citizens,’ changed to encompass ‘healthy soldiers, healthy citizens’ by the time of Japan’s defeat.