The last surviving Taiwan-born Japanese of WWII | CNA Correspondent podcast

Key Concepts:

• Wansei (灣生): Japanese citizens born in Taiwan during the period of Japanese colonization (1895-1945).
• Repatriation: The process of returning Wansei from Taiwan to Japan after World War II.
• Colonialism: Japan's 50-year rule over Taiwan, distinct from wartime occupation.
• Identity: The complex and shifting sense of belonging experienced by Wansei and Taiwanese individuals under Japanese rule.
• Oral History: The passing down of stories and experiences through generations, particularly important in the absence of official historical records.

1. Introduction: The End of WWII and the Wansei

• The podcast discusses the Wansei, Japanese citizens born in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period (1895-1945).
• Unlike other Southeast Asian territories, Taiwan was not merely occupied but colonized for 50 years.
• The end of WWII led to the repatriation of Wansei from Taiwan to Japan.

2. Mio Ishida's Personal Connection

• Mio Ishida, CNA's senior Japan correspondent, initiated the story due to her mother being a Wansei.
• Her mother's death in 2019 prompted Mio to visit Taiwan and explore her roots.
• Mio's mother had fond memories of Taiwan, including its fruits and the house she lived in, where her father worked for the commerce department of the governor general's office.
• The governor general's office oversaw the development of Taiwan's infrastructure, including railways, medicine, and the sugarcane industry.
• Mio's mother had to leave behind most of her belongings during repatriation.

3. Lack of Awareness and Historical Context

• The term "Wansei" is not widely known in Japan.
• Victoria Jen, CNA's senior Taiwan correspondent, notes that younger Taiwanese people primarily associate Japan with positive aspects like pop culture and food.
• Taiwan's colonial history is often overlooked in historical narratives, both in Japan and Taiwan.
• Taiwan's history fell through the cracks due to the focus on Japan's retreat from China and Southeast Asia, and later, the Guomindang's emphasis on Chinese history.
• Oral history plays a crucial role in preserving Wansei stories.

4. Scale of Repatriation and Current Status

• Approximately 480,000 Japanese, including civilians and soldiers, were repatriated from Taiwan in 1946, according to the Japanese Health Ministry.
• The youngest Wansei are now in their 80s.

5. Research and Collaboration

• Mio contacted the Taiwan Authority in Japan and a professor in Taiwan to connect with Wansei.
• The urgency of the project was emphasized due to the aging population of Wansei.
• Victoria Jen highlighted the emotional impact of tracing Wansei roots in Taiwan, given the presence of historical sites.
• The collaboration between Mio and Victoria felt like a conversation between Japan and Taiwan, necessitating an extended one-hour episode.

6. Key Individuals and Their Stories

• Professor Juani Wayi: Preserves old Japanese homes in Taipei.
• Yudi Itto: Visited Taiwan to trace her family roots, whose siblings were born in Taiwan.
• Hisashi Nimoto: His father worked to develop sugarcane plantations, and his grandfather developed Taiwan's railway system.
• Masawo: A Taiwanese man who fought in the Japanese military, was captured by the Soviets, and later pursued studies in Japan.
• 104-year-old Veteran (Mr. Yang): Served in the Imperial Japanese Army and experienced a sudden shift in identity from Japanese to Chinese. His secret to long life is drinking miso soup every day.

7. Identity and Belonging

• Wansei are often caught between Japanese and Taiwanese cultures, not fully belonging to either.
• While they identify as Japanese due to their upbringing and education, their childhood memories are tied to Taiwan.
• The 104-year-old veteran's experience highlights how identity can be prescribed and shaped by political and historical forces.
• The feeling of being "in between" is still prevalent in Taiwan today, particularly regarding the question of Chinese versus Taiwanese identity.

8. Mio's Mother's Memories

• Mio's mother was an optimist who rarely spoke of hardships.
• Her family faced challenges after repatriation, including financial difficulties and frequent relocation.
• Despite the hardships, she maintained a positive outlook.

9. Conclusion

• The Wansei story encompasses themes of World War II, history, survival, identity, belonging, love, and loss.
• The report sheds light on the Japanese impact on Taiwan and the complex experiences of the Wansei.
• The special report, "Japan's colonial experiment in Taiwan," is available on CNA's website and YouTube channel.