Wu Mi-cha

吳密察

INTERVIEW/ Wu Mi-cha: Taiwanese nationalism a model for all of Asia

06/02/2008

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

The following are excerpts from an interview with Wu Mi-cha, director of the National Museum of Taiwan History, about the 10 biggest incidents in modern and contemporary history in East Asia. This is part of a series to complement the "Impact of History--150 Years in East Asia."

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The 10 biggest incidents I choose are:

1) The First Sino-Japanese War and Japanese colonization of Taiwan

2) Political, military and cultural impact of the United States on East Asia

3) China's reform and market opening

4) The Second Sino-Japanese War and the Pacific War

Events (5) to (10) are in chronological order.

5) The Opium Wars and the opening of China

6) Meiji Restoration and the opening of Japan

7) Japan's annexation of Korea

8) The Xinhai Revolution

9) The establishment of the People's Republic of China

10) The Korean War

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Depending on whether you choose the 10 biggest incidents from the viewpoint of the national history of each East Asian country or that of East Asia as a whole, they could be different. Seen from the vantage point of East Asia as a whole, the incidents can be categorized into four major themes: 1) The collapse of the supremacy of the Chinese empire; 2) The establishment and collapse of the Japanese empire; 3) The establishment of U.S. supremacy; and 4) China's rise to power again.

But things look different when seen from Taiwan. The First Sino-Japanese War and the colonization of Taiwan are the most important. The war changed the East Asian power structure and led to the development and eventual collapse of the Japanese empire.

Up to then, Taiwan was not a state but as a result of the war, a powerful colonial government emerged there. To Taiwanese people, it was almost as if a modern state descended from heaven. But it was a modern state advocating colonialism.

The greatest developments in East Asia in the time leading up to the mid-20th century were the rise and fall of Japan and China. While remaining hostile, they had an impact on and learned from each other. In the second half of the 20th century, the United States entered East Asia as a third power. This was the Cold War order.

Since the second half of the 20th century, with the exception of resistance by the Arab world, virtually every country has been influenced by the United States. U.S.-led globalization has made the world more homogenized and convenient. But at the same time, it caused traditional local cultures to vanish. Young people who grew up eating at McDonald's do not know the taste of traditional local foods.

The rise of China is a major challenge that all of us living in the 21st century inevitably face. Due to its massive population and land area, the damage China could have on the global environment is significant. If it continues to build up its military, it will grow into a latent military power. Although the world is counting on China's future advancement, this could also become a burden the entire world would have to shoulder.

After the Manchurian Incident, Japan lost the power to control its expansion. If the Japanese empire had stopped at Manchukuo, it may not have collapsed as it did.

Why did Japan throw itself into the 15-year war? This is a question I cannot answer. The direction of the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere advocated by Japan was not entirely wrong in the sense that it was meant to counter the West. But the West was too strong and the Japan-led sphere was no match for it. Actually, Japan did not lose to China. It lost to the United States.

In writing modern Japanese history, postwar Japanese historians refer to the history of its four main islands, including Honshu. But I disagree. Setting aside the propriety of the matter, since Japan existed as an empire during the first half of the 20th century, historians should seriously come face to face with this fact.

Let me focus on East Asian nationalism. I think nationalism should be emphasized. But nationalism in this case is not the forcible and violent ideology that was advocated in the age leading up to the mid-19th century. Contemporary nationalism must be based on the reflection of modernism and be independent and fair, befitting the 21st century. This kind of nationalism could acquire a new name. I don't know when this can be realized, though.

I want Japan to respect the movement for Taiwan to create a new society on its own initiative. Japan should understand its 50 years of colonial relations with Taiwan and not remain indifferent to such efforts by Taiwan.

The East Asian community cannot come together as one as long as China acts like a big brother. Moreover, there are still grudges held from the past. Countries have attacked each other in an attempt to resolve internal contradictions within themselves. Only when members can share a Taiwan-style nationalism which is neither expansionist, militaristic nor imperialistic can they form a community.

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Wu Mi-cha is professor of history at National Taiwan University and director of the National Museum of Taiwan History, which will officially open next year. He graduated from a University of Tokyo graduate school and is the author of books on Taiwan's history. (IHT/Asahi: May 30,2008)