Colonial Legacy and National Identity:

Authors

• Nina Harris

Keywords

Taiwan identity, Japanese occupation, China relations

Abstract

The island of Taiwan occupies an unusual political position in the world today. Taiwan is viewed primarily in relation to its complicated relationship with the People’s Republic of China. While Taiwan considers itself distinct from the Chinese mainland, with its own constitution and democratically elected leaders, China’s government claims the island is an inalienable part of China and has been for centuries. Taiwan’s history, however, is more complicated and diverse than China allows. Unbeknownst to many, Taiwan was a Japanese colony from 1895 to 1945, and it was an era of highly significant change for Taiwan. The Japanese occupation was often difficult and oppressive, but it ultimately led to transformative economic growth and the emergence of a unique Taiwanese identity, setting the stage for Taiwan and Japan’s largely positive current relationship.

Recommended Citation

Harris, Nina (2026) "Colonial Legacy and National Identity:," BYU Asian Studies Student Journal: Vol. 11, Article 3.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/asj/vol11/iss1/3