National Sanatorium Amami Wako-en (国立療養所奄美和光園) was opened in 1943, with the capacity for 100 beds, and is set on 129 hectares. This leprosarium operated under US administration from 1946 to 1953. There are 34 residents as of 31 December 2015, with an average age of 83.4.

Unlike other national leprosy sanatoria in Japan, where pregnancy and childbirth were not allowed, Amami Wako-en enabled an exceptional arrangement due to devoted efforts by a few Catholic believers, including the sanatoria general secretary, hospital nurses and Catholic Fathers. (K. Moriyama, I. Kikuchi, N. Ishii: “Children born to leprosy patients”http://takaamami2.web.fc2.com/review/children1.html)

Amami Wako-en has opened their dermatological service to the general public.