A Transnational Approach to Understanding Japanese Colonial Influence in Taiwan

Abstract

Yu-Wen Chen examines the colonial influence of Japan in Taiwan through its manifestations in Taiwan’s cinema and popular music. A transnational approach is useful for understanding this colonial influence and its effects on Taiwan’s film and pop music industries. This influence on the music industry can be seen in the enka performance style, evoking sorrow, while Taiyupop (Taiwanese-language pop) was influenced by enka and, later, Mandopop’s (Mandarin-language pop) sadness paradigm. This paradigm is also evident in Taiyupian (Taiwanese-language film), which is itself influenced by Japanese cinema. Chen shows how Japanese films have had a much greater influence on the technology, styles, and themes of Taiyupian than Mandarin films. However, transnational influences can sometimes create difficulties in distinguishing the Japanese influence. She also shows how it is possible that the Japanese influence was interrupted in a particular political context at a specific time. In the final part of her chapter, she suggests that film can be a better medium for exploring Taiwan’s relationship with its former coloniser simply because it can explore content more deeply than song lyrics. Japanophilia, rather than Japanophobia, is more often aroused by these artistic presentations.