Transforming Empire in Japan and East Asia: The Taiwan Expedition and the Birth of Japanese Imperialism (New Directions in East Asian History)

This book examines the history of a military expedition the Japanese government sent to southern Taiwan in 1874, in the context of Japan’s subordination to Western powers in the unequal treaty system in East Asia. It argues that events on the ground in Taiwan show the Japanese government intended to establish colonies in southern and eastern Taiwan, and justified its colonial intent based on the argument that a state must spread civilization and political authority to territories where it claimed sovereignty, thereby challenging Chinese authority in East Asia and consolidating its power domestically. The book considers the history of the Taiwan Expedition in the light of how Japanese imperialism began: it emerged as part of the process of consolidating government power after the Meiji Restoration, it derived from Western imperialism, it developed in a dynamic relationship with Western imperialism and it increased Japan’s leverage in its competition for influence in East Asia. Transforming Empire in Japan and East Asia Acknowledgements Note to the Reader Contents List of Figures List of Tables Chapter 1 Introduction The Historiography of the Taiwan Expedition The Key Claims of This Study Japan’s Recursive Imperialism Summary of the Chapters Part I The Regional Context of the Taiwan Expedition Chapter 2 From Portals to Borders Early Modern Diplomacy and the Four “Portals” into Japan The Meiji Restoration and the Sovereignty Revolution The Transition to Borders Conclusion Chapter 3 A Justification for Colonization The Rover Incident as Context for the Japanese Expedition The Initial Response to the Rover Incident A Justification for Colonization Mapping the Limits of Chinese Authority in Taiwan The Massacre of the Ryūkyūans Conclusion Chapter 4 Planning an Expedition to Taiwan Soejima Taneomi News of the Massacre Reaches Japan The Early Interactions Between LeGendre and Soejima The Memoranda for Soejima Memo Number 1 Memo Number 2 Memo Number 3 Memo Number 4 A Consolidated Approach to East Asian Relations Conclusion Chapter 5 The Decision to Go to Taiwan The Soejima Mission The Challenge to China’s Territorial Authority Soejima’s Open Secret The Dispute Over Korea Policy The Decision to Go to Taiwan Plans for the Expedition Implementing the Plans Foreign Opposition to the Expedition Conclusion Part II On the Ground in Taiwan Chapter 6 Spies and Explorers Kabayama Sukenori in Beijing Kabayama Explores Eastern Taiwan Awaiting Word from Japan Return to Taiwan Debating Strategy The Eastern Strategy Conclusion Chapter 7 Punishing the “Savages” The Organization of the Army The Voyage to Taiwan Arrival in Taiwan Establishing a Base Camp The First Negotiations Skirmishes Meeting the Headmen The Campaign to Punish Butan and Kusakut Surrender of the Indigenous Villages The Limits of Projecting Japanese Military Force Conclusion Chapter 8 The Fading Dream of Colonization Plans for Pilam Saigō’s Orders to “Lead the Natives to Civilization” Gauging the Chinese Reaction Manufacturing a Pretext The Symbolism of Surrender Japanese Impact, Western Response Conclusion Part III Defending the Expedition Chapter 9 Negotiating a Settlement Shelving Plans for Colonization Yanagihara Sakimitsu’s Instructions Ōkubo Toshimichi Goes to China Yanagihara’s Negotiations Ōkubo’s Negotiations The Resolution Reactions to the Japanese Negotiations Conclusion Chapter 10 Justifying the Expedition in the Japanese Media Analogies of Dominance in the Japanese Media The Purposes of the Expedition Civilization, National Prestige, and National Authority Savagery, Barbarism, and Race Evolving Attitudes Toward the Expedition Conclusion Chapter 11 Conclusion Recursion in the Taiwan Expedition Evaluating the Taiwan Expedition Recursive Imperialism After the Taiwan Expedition Appendices Bibliography Index