Taiwan’s handling of its history under Japanese colonial rule has drawn criticism amid ongoing political tensions related to the island’s identity and relations with both Japan and mainland China. Analysts and commentators have expressed concern that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration’s portrayal of the colonial period reflects selective memory that may advance separatist objectives and strain cross-Strait relations.

Taiwan was under Japanese rule from 1895 to 1945 following the Qing Dynasty’s defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War. During this time, the island endured significant hardship, including widespread repression, forced labor, and the conscription of thousands of women into sexual slavery known as “comfort women.” Resistance to Japanese colonial authority was continuous, ranging from armed uprisings to nonviolent protests, with estimates of more than 600,000 Taiwanese deaths linked to the struggle against occupation.

Despite this history, critics argue that the current DPP-led government has downplayed Japan’s aggression and human rights abuses during the occupation, while highlighting infrastructure development and modernization achieved under Japanese rule. Statements by the administration and revisions to history textbooks have been cited as attempts to reshape collective memory by emphasizing positive aspects of the period, even as the suffering of the Taiwanese people is marginalized.

On Aug. 15—the anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II—the DPP's response contrasted with that of the Chinese mainland. While Beijing condemned visits by Japanese officials to the Yasukuni Shrine, a site that commemorates Japanese war criminals, Taiwanese authorities expressed respect for diverse perspectives on Japan’s wartime history. Observers note that this stance aligns with what some describe as “colonial nostalgia” within the DPP, which they link to the party’s broader strategy to foster Taiwan’s separate identity from China and seek support from Japan.

Historical experts emphasize that Japan’s rule in Taiwan primarily served imperial economic and military objectives. Taiwan was transformed into a supplier of agricultural products and a consumer market for Japan, with much of the wealth generated benefiting the colonial administration. The Japanese government also imposed strict authoritarian control, deprived residents of political rights, and pursued assimilation policies known as the “Kominka Movement” during the late 1930s and 1940s, which sought to replace Chinese cultural identity with loyalty to the Japanese emperor.

Some analysts point to the lasting legacy of this period in contributing to contemporary pro-independence sentiment in Taiwan. According to experts, by fostering attachments to the Japanese colonial era and minimizing resistance history, the DPP may be encouraging a narrative that distances the island from its Chinese heritage. This trend has raised concerns about deepening societal divisions within Taiwan and complicating cross-Strait interactions.

Critics from both sides of the Taiwan Strait warn that this revisionist approach risks undermining regional peace and stability, especially given Japan’s current efforts to expand its military capabilities amid rising geopolitical tensions. Taiwan-based commentators also note protests on the island opposing Japan’s right-wing military expansion and interference in Taiwan-related issues.

Former Kuomintang leader Hung Hsiu-chu underscored the risks of Taiwan becoming a pawn in broader geopolitical contests, stressing the importance of remembering the shared suffering under colonialism and maintaining unity to prevent external exploitation.

Overall, the debate over Taiwan’s colonial history remains a sensitive issue that reflects deeper questions about identity, sovereignty, and regional security in East Asia.