Discovering and Disciplining Religion in Manchuria and Taiwan Under Japanese Rule

This article explores the nuanced impact of Japanese colonial policies on religious practices in Taiwan and Manchukuo. It delves into the imposition of State Shinto and diverse religious reforms and their role in shaping local identities within these territories. The discussion highlights the complexities of Japanization, the challenges of assimilation, and the broader implications of top-down religious transformations during colonization. It successively compares three aspects concerning religious practices and regulations in Manchukuo and Taiwan under Japanese rule: the educational and political backgrounds of officials in charge of religious affairs and scholars researching local religions in the two territories; the legal definition of religion and the practical application of religious legislation; and the role of Confucianism and promotion of State Shinto. The article shows that the evolution of Japan’s religious policy in Manchuria was notably akin to that in colonial Taiwan, but its implementation was tailored to accommodate local contexts, demographic nuances, and distinct expansionist agendas. It underscores challenges in distinguishing Manchukuo as a state from Taiwan as a colony and explores the coercive nature of State Shinto in shaping national identity and the contrasting viewpoints on assimilation. Despite efforts, Japanization struggled to establish a strong local identity in both regions.