During Japanese rule in Taiwan from 1895 to 1945, colonial policies mandated Japanese language education to assimilate the local population. This initiative marginalized indigenous and Chinese dialects, aiming to create a cohesive national identity. The promotion of Japanese in schools had profound implications for cultural identity and language preservation in Taiwan, influencing post-colonial dynamics and language policies.

Japanese language education in Taiwan starting in 1895 created a new generation of Taiwanese writers who utilized Japanese in their works. This linguistic shift influenced postcolonial literary hybridity, with poets like Yang Mu exploring the complexities of identity and cultural exchange.