新台湾ナショナル・アイデンティティの形成に及ぼす国際野球イベントの影響：2001年ベースボールワールドカップを事例にして

Abstract

This study examined the building and consolidation of a “New Taiwanese National Identity” through the 2001 Baseball World Cup (BWC) by focusing on national identity and the historical transformation of nationalism in Taiwan. Four ethnic groups have lived on Taiwan island from the 17th century: the genjumin minority, two groups of Han Chinese known as honshojin (the Min Nan and Hakka ethnic groups) and the mainlanders known as gaishojin. All of these groups have different forms of national identity and nationalism. The honshojin have lived in Taiwan from before the era of Japanese rule until now, and the gaishojin came from Mainland China after 1945. The different historical experiences of these Taiwanese people have formed the different national identities of Taiwan. First, this study tries to explain the identities and nationalism of the different ethnic groups in Taiwan from the Qing Dynasty until today. Baseball in Taiwan was started under Japanese rule, and the Taiwanese have always tried to find a conciliatory national identity through baseball events. Examination of this historical transition has revealed that a conciliatory Taiwanese national identity has been forged through baseball. The 2001 BWC provided an opportunity for all the people of Taiwan to be conscious of their Taiwanese nationality, and to strengthen their unity through baseball as a national sport. The president of the Republic of China (=Taiwan) Chen Shui-bian always used the phrases “We are Taiwanese” and “Our national sport is baseball” to gain the confidence of the Taiwanese people. Even in the China Times (the national newspaper of Taiwan), Chen's speeches and actions were reported to gain the trust of the general public. For this study, the general director of the CTBA, and the head coach and players of the national baseball team were interviewed, and they also agreed that the team representing Chinese Taipei is the representative of Taiwan. As a result, it was shown that the 2001 BWC influenced the consciousness of the Taiwanese people, to forge and to strengthen a “New Taiwan National Identity”. Furthermore, a close correlation between baseball and politics in Taiwan was revealed, each having a considerable influence on the other.