The Japanese colonization of Taiwan, which marked a major transition in a former Chinese territory, is underemphasized in modern society. Much of the development of Taiwan is attributed to period after Japanese colonization, and differences between the Taiwanese and Chinese are attributed to the political struggle between the Guomindang (國民黨) and Chinese Communist Party (共產黨).
The Japanese colonial administration implemented many policies in education, including policies that changed the language of instruction, shifted the focus from Chinese classical studies to a Japanese-style curriculum which included subjects such as the Western sciences and Japanese, and served other Japanese interests. Changes in education implemented by the Japanese are manifested in the unique mix of Japanese and Chinese which is spoken by the Taiwanese. Furthermore, the shift of focus in the Taiwanese curriculum away from Chinese classical studies to a Japanese-style curriculum has had a lasting impact, proven by the attitudes of Taiwanese leaders such as Lee Teng-hui. The Japanese administration intended to facilitate assimilation through education policies, which the pro-Japanese view of the Taiwanese older generation confirms to have been successful.
This website aims to explain the effect of the Japanese colonization on education in Taiwan. The essay portion begins with exploring a product of Japanese education policies, language, through loanwords from Japanese and the fluency of the Taiwanese older generation in Japanese. The essay portion then goes on to analyze the decrease of Chinese classical studies as well as changes in education which served Japanese colonial interests. Lastly, the essay portion describes education policies aimed to maintain Japanese supremacy.
The supplemental pages provide some additional information about the subject. The first page contains a timeline of related events as well as depicts the Taiwanese Presidential Office Building. The second page contains a photo-gallery of Lee Teng-hui, a pro-Japanese political figure who was educated in Taiwan during Japanese occupation.
The supplemental pages provide some additional information about the subject. The first page contains a timeline of related events as well as depicts the Taiwanese Presidential Office Building. The second page contains a photo-gallery of Lee Teng-hui, a pro-Japanese political figure who was educated in Taiwan during Japanese occupation.