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Paper short abstract:

Taiwan was colonized by Japan from 1895 till 1945. During that period, Japanese anthropologists worked in the island as government anthropologist as well as university professors. This paper looks at the track of that colonial anthropology for the future development of East Asian anthropology.

Paper long abstract:

Taiwan was colonized by Japan since 1895 till 1945. During that period, Japanese anthropologists worked in the island as government anthropologist as well as university professors. Ino Kanori was the first anthropological field worker in East Asian anthropology and the first anthropologist concerned with ethnographic method. Utsurikawa Nenozo held the first PhD in anthropology and established and managed the first department of anthropology in Japan as well as in Taiwan. Kanaseki Takeo tried to maintain academic integrity and standards even under the military rule during the wartime years, and demonstrated a deep commitment to science, both in personal and professional life. These evidences are enough for reinventing the East Asian anthropology within the context of this area. Likewise, another key issue in the discussion of the legacy of colonialism and militarism is also applicable to the contemporary situation. I do not believe that there exists a clear cut demarcation between 'pure' and 'applied' sciences. An obsessive attitude toward 'pure' academicism has been widely and unnecessarily disseminated, and sometimes this approach can be an obstacle for understanding facts especially related to sensitive issues like war and working for a government.