Forging Oriental Development Studies: <i>Taiwan Colonial Policy</i>, Development Studies, and the Eco-State

As the first Eastern country to undergo modernization, Japan was also the first to possess colonies. The Japanese Empire’s development of its Asian colonies has served as the genesis of Oriental development studies. After acquiring Taiwan in the late 19th century, Japan drew on the experiences of Western countries as it sought to develop its new colony. At the same time, poor sanitation in the initial stages of the island’s development resulted in significant losses for the Japanese personnel. The Japanese government therefore altered its development strategy to prioritize public health over large-scale infrastructure development, and the public health system of Gotō Shinpei was implemented accordingly. Documented in the book Taiwan Colonial Policy, these measures are unique to Oriental development studies and highlight the focus on public health infrastructure during the period. From the perspective of the eco-state, the above approach improved Taiwan’s ecological environment and laid the groundwork for its future growth. This study explores the roots of Oriental development studies in the context of Japan’s colonization of Taiwan, revealing a distinctive emphasis on public health systems that has been crucial in Taiwan’s modernization.