Yoshioka, Yayoi (1871–1959)

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Yoshioka, Yayoi (1871–1959)

Japanese physician. Pronunciation: Yoe-she-o-kah Yah-yo-ee. Born Washiama Yayoi in 1871 in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan; died in Tokyo, Japan, 1959; dau. of Dr. Washiama Yosai (who introduced Western medicine to his home region); m. Yamada Arata (a German-language instructor), in 1895; children: 1 son.

The founder of Japan's 1st medical school for women, merged her medical clinic, where she was training women students, and her husband's German-language academy (1900), into Tokyo Women's Medical Institute (today, Tokyo Women's Medical University); had a 53-year tenure as president, overseeing the education of more than 7,000 women doctors; also operated a hospital (Tokyo Shisei Byoin) and was an active participant in government organizations. Received the Fujin Bunka Sho, the highest award given to women in Japan (1955).

See also Women in World History.