Japanese Commoners Arrive in Taiwan

The arrival of Japanese commoners in Taiwan marked a significant demographic shift during the Japanese colonial period. Initially, the migration was slow, with few Japanese settlers moving to Taiwan despite government encouragement. This reluctance was partly due to concerns about cultural integration and the ability of Japanese children born in Taiwan to understand the Japanese language and culture. To address these issues, primary schools organized trips to Japan in the 1910s, aiming to strengthen the connection between the two regions. Additionally, Japanese police officers were encouraged to learn local languages, such as Minnan and Hakka, to better communicate with the Taiwanese population. This effort reflected a broader strategy to integrate Japanese settlers into Taiwanese society while maintaining a distinct cultural identity.