Taiwan as a Japanese Colony
As its first colony, Japan occupied Taiwan from 1895 to 1945. Japan won Taiwan as part of the spoils from the First Sino-Japanese War. Because it was its first colony, Japan hoped to make Taiwan a "model colony." In a surprisingly accommodating way, Taiwanese residents were allowed a two-year period in which they could decide if they wanted to become Japanese citizens. Japan put in quite an effort to change the Taiwanese economy and culture. Taiwanese public works, transportation and education greatly improved. The people learned Japanese The quality of life was quite admirable. In fact, life after colonial rule was substantially worse. The Kuomintang was messy and disorganized, which may explain the disparity in anti-Japanese feelings in Taiwan and other Asian countries.