“De-Japanization” and “Re-Chinization”: A Discussion of the KMT Government's Mandarin Campaign in Taiwan after the Restoration of Taiwan and Its Effectiveness

In 1945, Japan was defeated, and Taiwan was returned to China. After the Republic of China (ROC) government took control of Taiwan, it started to implement a cultural policy focused on “De-Japanization” and “Re-Chinization,” emphasizing the promotion of the National Language (Mandarin) as the main goal, while also eliminating the use of the Japanese language in Taiwanese society. However, for various reasons, the KMT government's efforts to promote Mandarin in Taiwan were limited, and the incomplete “De-Japanization” process continued to preserve Japanese influences in Taiwanese society.