The Japanese Invasion of Formosa, 1874, in the Context of the International Relations in the Far East

Abstract

The Japanese invasion of Formosa in 1874 was the first case in which Japan used force to promote its international interests since the creation of the Meiji regime in 1869. The murder of Ryukyuan sailors in 1871 provided the Japanese an opportunity to emulate the gunboat policy so successfully used by the Western Powers against Japan in previous decades. Similarly, as the British in 1863, Japan demanded satisfaction for the death of Ryukyuans, whom it viewed as its subjects. Though the military expedition and subsequent negotiation were not a complete success, and at one point, Japanese actions almost led to a direct war between Japan and China, British intervention saved both countries from confrontation. Though the Japanese could not push through their interests by themselves, the partial success of their intervention was viewed in Japan as a mark that the country was adopting the new international methods of the ‘civilized’ countries. This attitude contributed to the emulation of such actions in the future. Therefore, the Formosan expedition can be viewed as one of the first steps towards building the Japanese Empire. It is also an example of how Japan tried to emulate the West and be recognized as an active and equal participant in the international field in East Asia.