222

Vestiges of Japanese Colonialism in Taiwan
Nobue Homma（Stephen Richmond ゼミ）
religion and social customs. As Scholars such

1. Introduction

as Ito (1993) have pointed out, as a result of

As a result of the Sino-Japanese War of

prolonged expansion, the human resources of1894-1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan, andJapan were drained at this point, and there wasbecame its colony. Japan’s governance of thea definite need for the nation to depend on theisland continued over approximately fifty years

resources of a colony.

until 1945, at the conclusion of the Pacific War. InIn terms of language reform, Japan set built

May 1895, Japan established its own Governor-language schools in many regions and speaking

General of Taiwan. Sukenori Kabayama became

Japanese was enforced all over the country.

the first Japanese Governor-General of Taiwan,

Taiwanese, Hakkanese, and native languages

and began his colonial administration. After

were oppressed and forbidden in the process. In

Gentaro Kodama became the fourth Governor-addition, some words of Japanese origin arrived

General of Taiwan, he appointed Shinpei

Taiwan where there remains the Japanese rule

Goto to head of civilian affairs. They createdof Taiwanese today. This is one of the reasonsindustries such as sugar production, pursued

behind the linguistic differences between

projects in education, agricultural reform andTaiwanese and the languages of the Chinese

the eradication of opium addiction, and generally

mainland. Also, many signboards written inadvanced the modernization of Taiwan. At theJapanese are still used in Taiwan. A typicalsame time, the organization of colonial rule

example of this is the hiragana character " の " (no).

was established by effectively using the "carrot

Although it is originally written as " 的 " (de) inand stick" method of colonial administration.

Chinese, many signboards seen in Taiwan still

Although it was a golden opportunityforfeature the Japanese hiragana "の" (no). This

Japan, Taiwan was distant from the Japaneseis widely used in the title of the signboards ofarchipelago, Nevertheless, Japan had a profoundstores, brand names, and also TV programs, andeffect on Taiwanese society.

other names.

When the Sino-Japanese War broke out inTaiwan is a geographicially isolated island

1937, the Japanese government saw Taiwan as

where conflicts had continued for many years

an important resource provision base for Japan’s war

between native Taiwanese, immigrants from

effort, and a policy of’Tennoization’, (that is, theFujian and Wokou pirates. In the 17th century,

process in which Japanese culture dominates,

the Dutch people colonized Taiwan. However,assimilates, or influences other cultures) was

they set the native people against immigrants.

promoted by the governor-general’s office. The

Because of this, it was difficult to describe an

Imperial policy was a movement to“Japanify”

original Taiwanese culture existing at this time.

the Taiwanese, which consisted of laws which

After the Sino-Japanese War in 1895, Japanoutlined language reform, name changes, aannexed Taiwan. The Japanese people felt proudvolunteer work system and laws regardingof the first territorial acquisitions under the223
Vestiges of Japanese Colonialism in Taiwan

Empire of Japan, but ultimately maintenanceof Taiwan proved to be too much for Japan tohandle (Ito, 1993). At the time, Taiwan was incrisis; it suffered from epidemics, and revolts

future of relations between the two countries.

2.
2.1 Japan-Taiwan Relations

by the native Taiwanese occurred frequently.

In 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan by

The Sing dynasty of China gave up the idea ofthe Shimonoseki Treaty. After that, Japan

directly ruling Taiwan. At this point in time,governed Taiwan until the end of World War

Taiwan was a desolate land. The native people

II in September 1945. In 1951, Japan abandoned

spoke different languages in each area, so

all the right, authority, and claims to Taiwan

communication problems were common. Thisand Penghu under The Treaty of San Francisco.

often led to hostilities or even outright conflicts

The following year, Japan concluded its peace

among the native people.

treaty with the Taiwanese government. Since

As has been pointed out by Wang (1983),

then, these two countries have maintained somethe religion and customs of Taiwan were greatly

manner of diplomatic relations. However, inchanged under the influence of Japanese culture.

1972, Japan signed a joint declaration with theTraditional Japanese culture such as hot springs,

People’s Republic of China to establish regularenka, sake, oden, and Bushido can still be seen

diplomatic relations. At the same time, Foreignin contemporary Taiwanese culture. In addition,

Minister Ohira announced that in order to normalize

Japanese karaoke, J-POP, comics, anime, video

diplomatic relations with People’s Republic of China,

games and fashion have been introduced toJapan would have to pull out of the Treaty ofTaiwan anew.

Taipei, which then became void. The TaiwaneseYoung people who have a liking for Japan

government immediately announced that itand its culture came to be called 哈 日 族 (Ha riwould break relations with Japan. As a resultzu) in the late 1990s. Moreover, since many TVof that, diplomatic relations between Japan andprograms from Japan have been broadcast for

the Taiwanese government ended. The Japanesemany years, many people in Taiwan are familiar

government has abided by the Japan-China Jointwith Japanese people and places.

Communique of 1972. At the same time, they

There are no formal diplomatic relations

have maintained working relations on a non-between Japan and Taiwan today. Unofficial

governmental basis with Taiwan. An example

negotiations through Interchange Associationof this is Interchange Association of Japan,

and Japan and the East Asia Relations

which is based in both countries, and Taiwan’

Commission are charged with dealing withs establishment of both the East Asia Relations

the business issues of these two countries.

Commission based in Taiwan and the Taipei

Traditionally, Taiwanese people place great

Economic and Cultural Representative Office,importance on information supply and flow.

which is based in Japan.

Some Japanese language internet sites have

In terms of trade between Japan andbeen established and are visited regularly by

Taiwan in 2011, exports from Japan amounted toTaiwanese. Few other countries produce as

52,200 million dollars and imports amounted tomuch information in Japanese as Taiwan.

18,200 million dollars. Taiwan became the fourth-

In this essay, I would like to briefly

largest trading partner of Japan. Furthermore,

introduce the history of Japan-Taiwan relations,the investment from Japan to Taiwan of 2011

describe some of the effects that Japan had onreached a record 441 points (Interchange

Taiwan during this time, and comment on theAssociation, Japan, 2012, 28th May).224

In 2011, approximately 1,290,000 Japanese

partnership promotion year. Responding tonationals visited Taiwan. It was the highest

this, Japan expanded business to Taiwan. Bothnumber of Japanese visitors ever and in thecountries gained great results from this step

return direction, Some 990,000 Taiwanesesuch as the implementation of the working

nationals came to Japan. Such frequent traffic is

holiday system, support from Japan to disasters

reflected in the regular flights between Japanof typhoon in Taiwan, establishing the researchand Taiwan which according to Interchange

center for Japanese studies at National Chengchi

Association statistics numbered 268 per week as

University, and the agreement to run flights

at February 2012.

between Tokyo International Airport andWith regards the relationship between

Taipei International Airport. Since then, Japan

Japan and Taiwan under the current Ma Ying-and Taiwan have made concrete progress. On

jiu administration, National Party President

October 31st, 2010, a regular chartered flight

Ma Ying-Jiu was inaugurated as the Republic

service was launched between Tokyo andof China President on May 20th, 2008. MostTaipei. It has contributed to expanding of therecently, he visited Japan in July 2006 andtraffic between countries. Japan and Taiwan

November 2007. After he was elected as

formed a strong bond in 2011. Taiwan providedpresident on May 22nd, 2008, he held a press

every possible assistance to Japan when theconference for Japanese reporters. This shows

Tohoku earthquake occurred in March 2011.

that he emphasizes relations with Japan. In

Taiwan donated more than 20 billion yen andthe same way, Japanese government sent a

dispatched 28 aid workers to affected areas. In

celebratory message to President Ma throughresponse to this, many politicians visited Taiwan

the Interchange Association on May 20th, 2008.

and showed their gratitude.

The Ma administration’s actions can beseen as the promotion of a peaceful relationship

2.2 Linguistic influenceand the economic and trade relations with

A certain percentage of Taiwanese people

Japan. In addition, they assign great value toare able to understand and use the Japanese

security partnership of Japan and the United

language. In particular, people over 60 years ofStates. In particular, this is seen in actions suchage who received their education during theas requests to create Free Trade Agreement

period of Japanese rule speak Japanese quiteand Economic Partnership at an early stage,fluently. In the summer of 1995, a movie titleda demand of putting flights into operation“ 多 桑 (Duo Sang : Father)”was released. The

between Taipei International Airport andpronunciation of this title is from“Father (To-Tokyo International Airport, moving intosan)”in Japanese and has the same meaning

Chinese market by coordination with Japaneseas the Japanese. Also, Japanese is frequently

companies, and expanding interaction between

spoken in this movie. For instance,“卡桑 (Ka SangJapanese young people and Taiwanese young: Mother)”in Japanese“Ka-san”,“ 歐 吉 桑 (oupeople.

ji sang : Sir)”“ 歐 巴 桑 (ou ba sang : Madam)”.

President Ma emphasized Japan’s specialrole as partner to Taiwan at a meeting withThose words are entrenched in the language ofTaiwan.

Japanese reporters on September 19th, 2008.

Private universities in Taiwan such as Tam

He openly aspired to develop strong working

Kang University, Soochow University, Chinese

relations with Japan. On January 2009, Taiwan

Culture University and Tunhai University set

announced that 2009 was Taiwan-Japan special

great store on the teaching of the Japanese

225
Vestiges of Japanese Colonialism in Taiwan

language (Xu, 1996). Many professional schools

such as the Atayal and the Ami. These twohave set up a department of Japanese Literature.

groups speak Japanese even now (Xu, 1996).

However, these facts are relatively unknown toEach used to speak its original language before

Japanese people. An example of this ignorance

Japan governed Taiwan. Japanese became

was demonstrated on the Japanese news

a common language for them through theprogram,“News Japan (FNN)”. In this program,education of Japanese and this led to unificationTaiwanese elders who sing Japanese enka (folkof the island. (Xu Guoxiong, 1996）

songs) were asked by a reporter if singing in

After Japan gave up its rights to Taiwan,

Japanese was easy for them. They replied thatJapanese culture was spread out over a large

they were used to speaking Japanese, and singarea in the country. After the end of World War

not only enka but also old Japanese army songs.

II, Japanese culture diminished spontaneously

It might be puzzling to understand why theyor became limited through government policy

sing Japanese songs despite going through many

to ’de-Japanize’Taiwan, and gradually lost its

hardships under Japanese rule. One Taiwanese

former effect. However, there are still reminders

elder said that there was a world of differenceof the huge cultural influence of Japan in many

between Japan and China. In other words, theareas of Taiwanese life. I would now like toEmpire of Japan had been much better towards

introduce a few of the most obvious ones.

the Taiwanese than the Chinese National Party.
Professor Ito Kiyoshi fills in the background as

2.3.1 Architecture

follows. The Republic of China adopted a“Non-During Japan’s rule, the architecturalJapanization”policy in education. They madestyles introduced to Taiwan had two distinct

use of educational facilities prepared by thepatterns — one was Japanese, and the other was

Japanese government and enforced the policy ofWestern. The Japanese style is mainly typified“Sinicization”.

by Shoin-Zukuri and the architecture of temples

However, people who were born in Taiwanand shrines. The former is a style of residence

during the period of Japanese rule, known as

which was built for Japanese officials. They are

本 省 人 (Ben sheng ren) and Chinese people who

seen throughout Taiwan even now. In addition,

moved to Taiwan after the war, known as 外省人 (WaiJapanese style rooms are seen in apartmentssheng ren) have different lifestyles and values.

and cottages. Alcoves, hanging scrolls and（Xu Guoxiong, 1996）These two groups clashedpaper sliding doors are used in contemporary

over these matters. Taiwanese people werehouses in Taiwan. The latter took in shrine

mentally pent up under the control of Chinesearchitecture and temple architecture. According

people, who made up less than 13% of the whole

to 1942 statistics, the number of Shinto shrines

population of Taiwan at the time. Moreover, thein whole of Taiwan reached a peak of 613 (Xu,government officials of the Republic of China

1996). After the war, most of them were rebuilt

corrupted practices like occupation forces. In theas National Revolutionary Martyrs Shrines.

end, people from both sides clashed on February

Taoyuan Martyrs Shrine is the only shrine

28th 1947. More than ten thousand Taiwanese

which is perfectly preserved today. However,people were cruelly killed. The“228 Incident”,

the government could not afford to completely

as it came to be known, led to going anti-Chinese

rebuild the institution. For this reason, thesentiment and greater pro-Japanese feelings.

appearance was preserved as a Japanese-style

The native people of Taiwan divide

shrine. In 1985, this shrine was planned to bethemselves into nine regions and ethnic groups

rebuilt for the reason that it had aged, but

226architects and cultural heritage organizations

2.3.3 Judo and Kendo

opposed this proposal. At one time there were

Under Japanese rule, most junior highmore than 200 major shrines in Taiwan (Xu,schools in Taiwan were given a judo curriculum1996), but all of these were removed throughand students learnt this Japanese martial art.

anti-Japanese policies put in place after

Later, it became more popular as a hobby

colonization ended. For this reason, critics

amongst the poplace. There are more than thirty

insisted that such features should be preserved.

training halls in Taiwan today, and it is said that

Most Japanese-style buildings ended up being

more than 30,000 people practice judo. Kendo

preserved as shrines and old burial mounds.

(Japanese fencing) was introduced to Taiwan
during the Japanese occupation, in the same
way as judo. According to the current estimate,approximately 10,000 people in Taiwan continue
to practice this traditional martial art.
2.3.4 Japanese cuisine
According to academic Xu Guoxiong, thefeatures of Japanese cuisine are a sense of theseasons, the beauty of arrangement and harmony
between dishes and foods. These features wereTaoyuan Martyr’s Shrine (Souece : Wiki Commons)

2.3.2 Religion

not predominant in Taiwanese food before theJapanese Occupation. Oil and spices are thekey ingredients in Chinese cooking, from which

The influence of Japan was not limited toTaiwanese cuisine drew its inspiration. After thebuilding design. The religions Shinto, Buddhism

war, Japanese food became popular in Taiwan

and even Christianity were introduced tofor health reasons. Taiwanese envied JapaneseTaiwan from Japan. In particular, Shinto thought

peoples’comparatively long lifespans. This isand practice excised great influence over thepart of the reason that facilitated the expansion

colony Taiwan and Japanese rulers restrictedof Japanese food in Taiwan. There are more

Taiwanese people from following their original

than sixty famous Japanese restaurants in Taipei

customs and practices. After the war, all thealone. Furthermore, Japanese rice is served

religions which came in with Japanese quickly

widely in standard homes, rather than Chinese

faded away, with the exception of Tenrikyo.

varieties. Taiwanese people have a taste forTenrikyo is a monotheistic religion originating

Japanese foods such as miso soup, takuan pickles

in revelations. Japanese colonists began toand sweet redbean paste jelly, and these can bepropagate Tenrikyo in Taiwan from 1897. Afterseen in many households. In addition, sushi andthat, it gradually spread throughout the wholeudon can be seen at supermarkets. These foods

island. After the end of the war, the groupare common in Taiwan today.

applied to establish churches across Taiwan andStarting with cuisine, Japan’s uniquelocal governments permitted this. In addition,customs and culture have been passed throughthis was authorised by the central government.

and for some time, prevailed in Taiwan. We canAccording to 1992 statistics, there are 145

see the close ties between Japanese culture andchapels and more than 29,000 congregations still

Taiwanese culture in a variety of areas evenactive in Taiwan. (Xu, 1996）

now.

227
Vestiges of Japanese Colonialism in Taiwan

Conclusion

widespread attention from Taiwanese people. It
was reported as widely in Taiwan as if it had

Japanese culture lives on in Taiwan, almost

happened in their country. Also, Japan received

seventy years after Japanese colonists pulled

generous support from Taiwan in the aftermath

out of the island. However, official relationsof the disaster. In response to this, private

between Japan and Taiwan have not always

Japanese citizens carried out a fund drive to run

been easy. Japan does not maintain official

an advertisement in Taiwanese newspaper as

diplomatic relations with Taiwan today because

a token of gratitude, which they called the“ 謝of the importance of its relationship with China.

謝台湾計画 (Xie xie Taiwan Keikaku)”. At that

However, these two countries maintain unofficialtime, the Japanese government did not formally

relationships in a variety of ways. Looking at

express gratitude for Taiwanese help. This istrends in tourism, entertainment and culture, it

an example of the continuing bond between

is clear that there are many Taiwanese people

Japanese and Taiwanese people. It might bewith an interest in Japan. Also, even today

seen then, that political connections are not as

there are many people who can speak Japanese

important for these two countries as cultural

fluently and are familiar with Japan’s culture

and human exchanges.

and customs. It is possible for Japanese to feel

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