Why wasn't Japan allowed to keep Taiwan after WW2 (Short Animated Documentary)
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Date: 2026-07-10
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Comments and reviews: 20
fogethorse
If China firmly upholds the Potsdam Declaration internationally, recognizing only four islands belonging to Japan
then any act that denies the Potsdam Declaration constitutes a shift in the postwar order,
and China would need to take concrete action to implement it!
Japan's ability to re-enter the international community as a postwar nation today is not predicated
on its own understanding of the value of peace.
On the contrary, its defeat and surrender in 1945 forced it to accept the postwar rules arranged by the Allied powers.
This year, Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration, thus disqualifying it from selectively retaining,
in decades later, the parts that are beneficial to itself while discarding those that limit its militarism and territorial boundaries.
The core meaning of Article 8 of the Potsdam Declaration is not complex:
the conditions stipulated in the Cairo Declaration must be implemented.
Japanese sovereignty is limited to Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku,
and the small islands that the Allied powers decide they may retain.
It is commonly said that Japan is only recognized as having four main islands. Strictly speaking,
this uses these four main islands as the basic framework for the postwar boundary of Japanese sovereignty.
Whether other islands belong to Japan cannot be determined by Japan unilaterally claiming inherent territory,
but depends on the international arrangements after World War II and the legal basis confirmed by the victorious powers.
That's the crux of the matter. In recent years, Japan has deliberately downplayed the Potsdam Declaration on many occasions,
unwilling to acknowledge the profound suffering inflicted on Asian countries by its war of aggression,
while becoming increasingly enthusiastic about discussing so-called security threats, island disputes, and military normalization.
While enjoying the development space brought about by the post-war order, it is simultaneously attempting
to dismantle the parts of the post-war order that constrain Japan; this approach is the truly dangerous aspect.
If China were to completely confront the international situation, it would not be about overturning the rules,
but rather about re-establishing the rules that Japan has blurred.
reply
If China firmly upholds the Potsdam Declaration internationally, recognizing only four islands belonging to Japan
then any act that denies the Potsdam Declaration constitutes a shift in the postwar order,
and China would need to take concrete action to implement it!
Japan's ability to re-enter the international community as a postwar nation today is not predicated
on its own understanding of the value of peace.
On the contrary, its defeat and surrender in 1945 forced it to accept the postwar rules arranged by the Allied powers.
This year, Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration, thus disqualifying it from selectively retaining,
in decades later, the parts that are beneficial to itself while discarding those that limit its militarism and territorial boundaries.
The core meaning of Article 8 of the Potsdam Declaration is not complex:
the conditions stipulated in the Cairo Declaration must be implemented.
Japanese sovereignty is limited to Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku,
and the small islands that the Allied powers decide they may retain.
It is commonly said that Japan is only recognized as having four main islands. Strictly speaking,
this uses these four main islands as the basic framework for the postwar boundary of Japanese sovereignty.
Whether other islands belong to Japan cannot be determined by Japan unilaterally claiming inherent territory,
but depends on the international arrangements after World War II and the legal basis confirmed by the victorious powers.
That's the crux of the matter. In recent years, Japan has deliberately downplayed the Potsdam Declaration on many occasions,
unwilling to acknowledge the profound suffering inflicted on Asian countries by its war of aggression,
while becoming increasingly enthusiastic about discussing so-called security threats, island disputes, and military normalization.
While enjoying the development space brought about by the post-war order, it is simultaneously attempting
to dismantle the parts of the post-war order that constrain Japan; this approach is the truly dangerous aspect.
If China were to completely confront the international situation, it would not be about overturning the rules,
but rather about re-establishing the rules that Japan has blurred.
reply
accidentian
The Chinese Civil War of 1945-1949 between Republic of China and CCP/PRC has never been officially and formally ended, and Taiwan is the final war point. ROC is the legitimate successor of Qing as the representation of the Chinese Nation, and PRC assume the same status from ROC once ROC lost that position in the 1970s in the United Nations. The 'reunification' that's been talked about by PRC and ROC (sometime before) is based on the reunification of the Chinese Nation. What consititues the 'Chinese Nation' (NOT simply Han Chinese) is a different topic, and of course the treaties come into play. Since Qing had Taiwan, was able to cede Taiwan to the then Japanese Empire, the Chinese Nation had a claim to Taiwan. Whether the Chinese Nation still has or can have rightful claim to Taiwan probably depends on whether colonialism and imperialism can produce any legitimacy at all. In principle, both ROC and PRC doesn't recognize colonialism and imperialism, and whatever done by those as legitimate. Thus, their position is to claiming Taiwan. And the Civil War makes its status unsettled, but nontheless, part of the Chinese Nation.
The issue regarding Taiwan is as much as 'domestic' as it is international. Then again, it is perhaps a natural right (or god-given right) if any people on earth want to found an independent and internationaly recognized state. In this regard, the independence movement doesn't need to find its support in international treaties.
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The Chinese Civil War of 1945-1949 between Republic of China and CCP/PRC has never been officially and formally ended, and Taiwan is the final war point. ROC is the legitimate successor of Qing as the representation of the Chinese Nation, and PRC assume the same status from ROC once ROC lost that position in the 1970s in the United Nations. The 'reunification' that's been talked about by PRC and ROC (sometime before) is based on the reunification of the Chinese Nation. What consititues the 'Chinese Nation' (NOT simply Han Chinese) is a different topic, and of course the treaties come into play. Since Qing had Taiwan, was able to cede Taiwan to the then Japanese Empire, the Chinese Nation had a claim to Taiwan. Whether the Chinese Nation still has or can have rightful claim to Taiwan probably depends on whether colonialism and imperialism can produce any legitimacy at all. In principle, both ROC and PRC doesn't recognize colonialism and imperialism, and whatever done by those as legitimate. Thus, their position is to claiming Taiwan. And the Civil War makes its status unsettled, but nontheless, part of the Chinese Nation.
The issue regarding Taiwan is as much as 'domestic' as it is international. Then again, it is perhaps a natural right (or god-given right) if any people on earth want to found an independent and internationaly recognized state. In this regard, the independence movement doesn't need to find its support in international treaties.
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alexd5128
Allowing the Nationalist Chinese (KMT) to occupy Taiwan after WWII is one of the worst decision the US has ever made! Before the KMT put its paw on Taiwan, even the Chairman Mao of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) revealed to the renowned American communist, Edgar Snow, that China's patriotic war against Japan does not include Korea, and if the Korean don't wish to live under Japan, China would offer its ETHUSIASTIC help for Korea to become indepedent. The same thing applies for FORMOSA (Taiwan's old name! This interview is captured in the book, Red Star over China. Later, as soon as it was announced during the Cairo Summit that the KMT would take over Taiwan after WWII, Mao changed his position 180 degrees. All of a sudden, Taiwan becomes an indivisible part of China and must be reunited by the CCP.
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Allowing the Nationalist Chinese (KMT) to occupy Taiwan after WWII is one of the worst decision the US has ever made! Before the KMT put its paw on Taiwan, even the Chairman Mao of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) revealed to the renowned American communist, Edgar Snow, that China's patriotic war against Japan does not include Korea, and if the Korean don't wish to live under Japan, China would offer its ETHUSIASTIC help for Korea to become indepedent. The same thing applies for FORMOSA (Taiwan's old name! This interview is captured in the book, Red Star over China. Later, as soon as it was announced during the Cairo Summit that the KMT would take over Taiwan after WWII, Mao changed his position 180 degrees. All of a sudden, Taiwan becomes an indivisible part of China and must be reunited by the CCP.
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paiwanhan
Best video on the complex issue of how Taiwan's current undetermined status came about. At the end you left out the part in the 1952 Treaty of San Francisco, where Article 4 clear states that Japan recognizes the validity of dispositions of property of Japan and Japanese nationals made by or pursuant to directives of the United States Military Government in any of the areas referred to in Articles 2 and 3 and Taiwan is listed under Article 2, therefore Taiwan technically was under the administration of USMG Taiwan, which delegated the right to administration to the ROC government in exile. Therefore, the ROC government in exile's annexation of Taiwan is illegal, and Taiwan should be administered by the Allied Powers until its people are given the right to self-determination.
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Best video on the complex issue of how Taiwan's current undetermined status came about. At the end you left out the part in the 1952 Treaty of San Francisco, where Article 4 clear states that Japan recognizes the validity of dispositions of property of Japan and Japanese nationals made by or pursuant to directives of the United States Military Government in any of the areas referred to in Articles 2 and 3 and Taiwan is listed under Article 2, therefore Taiwan technically was under the administration of USMG Taiwan, which delegated the right to administration to the ROC government in exile. Therefore, the ROC government in exile's annexation of Taiwan is illegal, and Taiwan should be administered by the Allied Powers until its people are given the right to self-determination.
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morrischen5777
This video is pure trash; no actual history regarding Taiwan was researched for it.
Saying the KMT was harsh toward local Taiwanese (which were ethnically and culturally Chinese btw, only under Japanese rule for 60 years) completely ignores the fact that the KMT was literally fighting communist-led armed uprisings in Taiwan during a civil war.
I still don't know what you mean by annex after the Japanese surrender and the ROC's arrival with an occupation government established as promised by Allied leaders.
The vidoe just want to paint KMT, a trust worthy Allied governemt of the US, hard fought 8 years of war with more tehcnonolgical advanced Japanese and immidiately facing Soviet backed communist, in bad faith. This is just CCP properganda alt history.
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This video is pure trash; no actual history regarding Taiwan was researched for it.
Saying the KMT was harsh toward local Taiwanese (which were ethnically and culturally Chinese btw, only under Japanese rule for 60 years) completely ignores the fact that the KMT was literally fighting communist-led armed uprisings in Taiwan during a civil war.
I still don't know what you mean by annex after the Japanese surrender and the ROC's arrival with an occupation government established as promised by Allied leaders.
The vidoe just want to paint KMT, a trust worthy Allied governemt of the US, hard fought 8 years of war with more tehcnonolgical advanced Japanese and immidiately facing Soviet backed communist, in bad faith. This is just CCP properganda alt history.
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bonniedan123mc
So many references. so many details as well. Well made video!
Had Taiwan been able to sever political ties to China in 1945, the Taiwan problem would have been easier now. Not solved, because a strengthened China would seek to influence Taiwan to protect its own mainland anyway, but China would not have such legal and rhetorical leverage as they have now.
Chiang wanted to fight the Communists for his beloved China, now China is strong again, what would he think now.
Ultimately, the KMT annexation is a conquest. A conquest for survival, sure, but conquest nonetheless. Not reunification.
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So many references. so many details as well. Well made video!
Had Taiwan been able to sever political ties to China in 1945, the Taiwan problem would have been easier now. Not solved, because a strengthened China would seek to influence Taiwan to protect its own mainland anyway, but China would not have such legal and rhetorical leverage as they have now.
Chiang wanted to fight the Communists for his beloved China, now China is strong again, what would he think now.
Ultimately, the KMT annexation is a conquest. A conquest for survival, sure, but conquest nonetheless. Not reunification.
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hyonzui
Taiwan is a matter between ROC and PRC. Japan has no rights there what so ever. You don't claim you ownership of something because you robbed it from someone once. You claim this is a documentary but your video is full of ambiguity and hearsay with no historical facts presented. Where do you get your sources You describe Japanese invasion of Korea The Chinese puppet and Formosa as Prying them off from Chinese control China was being invaded and you said Cairo Declaration was there to keep China from exiting the war You really are full of BS.
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Taiwan is a matter between ROC and PRC. Japan has no rights there what so ever. You don't claim you ownership of something because you robbed it from someone once. You claim this is a documentary but your video is full of ambiguity and hearsay with no historical facts presented. Where do you get your sources You describe Japanese invasion of Korea The Chinese puppet and Formosa as Prying them off from Chinese control China was being invaded and you said Cairo Declaration was there to keep China from exiting the war You really are full of BS.
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CharAzn1979
The video make it sounds like the Chinese was always the aggressor. None of the Chinese empires have ever invaded or have any ambition over Japan except for the Mongol Empire. The biggest irony is its the Japanese who have ambition to take China and actually invaded. You also miss out the fact that its stated clearly Japan is limited to just the 4 main island in the Cairo and Potsdam declaration which is why Okinawa status is actually ambiguous and why Taiwan was never Japanese after the war
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The video make it sounds like the Chinese was always the aggressor. None of the Chinese empires have ever invaded or have any ambition over Japan except for the Mongol Empire. The biggest irony is its the Japanese who have ambition to take China and actually invaded. You also miss out the fact that its stated clearly Japan is limited to just the 4 main island in the Cairo and Potsdam declaration which is why Okinawa status is actually ambiguous and why Taiwan was never Japanese after the war
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charliegoo1314
Taiwan has long been overdue for a national referendum to allow its citizens to formally express their democratic will regarding their sovereign status, as a significant portion of the population favors formal independence. The current status quo represents a state of de facto independence; however, it remains constrained by the persistent use of the Republic of China nomenclature, which many argue is outdated and fails to accurately reflect the reality of Taiwan’s democratic identity.
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Taiwan has long been overdue for a national referendum to allow its citizens to formally express their democratic will regarding their sovereign status, as a significant portion of the population favors formal independence. The current status quo represents a state of de facto independence; however, it remains constrained by the persistent use of the Republic of China nomenclature, which many argue is outdated and fails to accurately reflect the reality of Taiwan’s democratic identity.
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cwaddle
I don’t understand the thesis behind the video. Almost all territories claimed by imperialist expansions has now been renounced back the original people. Japan hasnt retained most parts of the land either and has only managed to retain some small islands, and so does Britain. They are usually tiny islands, with too small population to run as a distinct country and no strong claim by neighbouring countries. Taiwan does not fit any of that so 100% it should be returned
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I don’t understand the thesis behind the video. Almost all territories claimed by imperialist expansions has now been renounced back the original people. Japan hasnt retained most parts of the land either and has only managed to retain some small islands, and so does Britain. They are usually tiny islands, with too small population to run as a distinct country and no strong claim by neighbouring countries. Taiwan does not fit any of that so 100% it should be returned
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alykkw
1) No, Korea was NOT a puppet state of China.
2) Okinawa, previously known as the Ryukyu Kingdom, maintained a tributary relationship with China since 1372. After WWII, Okinawa was placed under U. S. military administration and was not officially returned to Japan.
3) The Dutch only occupied Taiwan for 37 years, then expelled by the Chinese in 1662.
4) Taiwan has relatively limited natural resources of significant economic value. Your claim is not correct.
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1) No, Korea was NOT a puppet state of China.
2) Okinawa, previously known as the Ryukyu Kingdom, maintained a tributary relationship with China since 1372. After WWII, Okinawa was placed under U. S. military administration and was not officially returned to Japan.
3) The Dutch only occupied Taiwan for 37 years, then expelled by the Chinese in 1662.
4) Taiwan has relatively limited natural resources of significant economic value. Your claim is not correct.
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TorqueMaester
Overly simplistic, totally lacking any analysis. Barely, mentioned the USSR; didnt bother the rape of Nanking (no chuckles I guess. The KMT and the communists were both fighting the Japnese at first but then Mao hung back and let the KMT do all the fighting. The fact that the Japanese had butchered nillions of Chinese might have been a factor. Though, their treatment of the Formosians was far more favorable than their treatment of the Koreans.
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Overly simplistic, totally lacking any analysis. Barely, mentioned the USSR; didnt bother the rape of Nanking (no chuckles I guess. The KMT and the communists were both fighting the Japnese at first but then Mao hung back and let the KMT do all the fighting. The fact that the Japanese had butchered nillions of Chinese might have been a factor. Though, their treatment of the Formosians was far more favorable than their treatment of the Koreans.
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gmvideos-t7r
I have to say Imperial Japan is portrayed a little generously here. Japan didn't win Taiwan, they seized after a war of imperalism. Likewise, Japan didn't free Korea from being a Chinese puppet state, they annexed as a colony banning Korean culture and language, when Korea was functionally an independent state before. Beyond that, Japan also had no actual claim to keeping Taiwan at all besides the fact that they'd colonised it.
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I have to say Imperial Japan is portrayed a little generously here. Japan didn't win Taiwan, they seized after a war of imperalism. Likewise, Japan didn't free Korea from being a Chinese puppet state, they annexed as a colony banning Korean culture and language, when Korea was functionally an independent state before. Beyond that, Japan also had no actual claim to keeping Taiwan at all besides the fact that they'd colonised it.
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kenh758
The video is pure propaganda for imperialism. It had been japan all along that attacked and pillaged China ( Tang dynasty, Ming/Korea, Ming coastal pirating, annexing of China’s Ryukyu kingdom (Okinawa, Taiwan province, and then full blown imperialism against whole China proper. The defeat of Japan by Chinese and Allied forces after WWII made sure Japan relinquished all its ill gotten stolen lands to their rightful owners.
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The video is pure propaganda for imperialism. It had been japan all along that attacked and pillaged China ( Tang dynasty, Ming/Korea, Ming coastal pirating, annexing of China’s Ryukyu kingdom (Okinawa, Taiwan province, and then full blown imperialism against whole China proper. The defeat of Japan by Chinese and Allied forces after WWII made sure Japan relinquished all its ill gotten stolen lands to their rightful owners.
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education
Didn't Germany and Italy loses all their oversea territories for losing the war, so what make Japan so special In fact, Okinawa and Hokkaido should have been stripped from Japan as well. It is only because US need a dog in East Asia, that why give Japan Hokkaido as token. As for Okinawa, it never really belong to Japan since crime committed by the US forces on the island are not trial by the local judicial system
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Didn't Germany and Italy loses all their oversea territories for losing the war, so what make Japan so special In fact, Okinawa and Hokkaido should have been stripped from Japan as well. It is only because US need a dog in East Asia, that why give Japan Hokkaido as token. As for Okinawa, it never really belong to Japan since crime committed by the US forces on the island are not trial by the local judicial system
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history_matters
Because letting the monsters that were the Imperialist Japanese keep anything would have set a dangerous precedent.
Taiwan belongs to China, the real China not the PRC but the RoC. The PRC has never held, owned, nor controlled Taiwan.
Who knew a few years later it'd be the final bastion of capitalist China and become a shining beacon of Democracy in the Orient.
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Because letting the monsters that were the Imperialist Japanese keep anything would have set a dangerous precedent.
Taiwan belongs to China, the real China not the PRC but the RoC. The PRC has never held, owned, nor controlled Taiwan.
Who knew a few years later it'd be the final bastion of capitalist China and become a shining beacon of Democracy in the Orient.
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yeeyeeass
Excuse me Mr. HistoryMatters, James Bissonette was recently interviewed. In the interview, he was quoted saying, HistoryMatters needs to stop being a tease and add in 1 minute and 11 seconds to this video about Japan not being allowed to keep Taiwan. We all want 10 Minute History back.
How do you respond to Bissonette’s fiery critique
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Excuse me Mr. HistoryMatters, James Bissonette was recently interviewed. In the interview, he was quoted saying, HistoryMatters needs to stop being a tease and add in 1 minute and 11 seconds to this video about Japan not being allowed to keep Taiwan. We all want 10 Minute History back.
How do you respond to Bissonette’s fiery critique
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Babsilicious1203
They can't cause they agreed to the San Francisco Treaty that Japan's territory is constricted to the 4 major islands and outlying islands like Okinawa and some smaller island here and there. Taiwan was obtained via a war of aggression with Quing China so that has to be returned. And now we have this limbo between China and Taiwan.
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They can't cause they agreed to the San Francisco Treaty that Japan's territory is constricted to the 4 major islands and outlying islands like Okinawa and some smaller island here and there. Taiwan was obtained via a war of aggression with Quing China so that has to be returned. And now we have this limbo between China and Taiwan.
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TheDoctor1225
Oof. I like your videos and they make me laugh loudly on a regular basis but the thing with FDR's picture at the point of his death was a bit tasteless, IMO. No whining, no hand wringing on my end to be sure but a little bit too much to make light of the fact that he died of a cerebral hemorrhage while having his portrait done.
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Oof. I like your videos and they make me laugh loudly on a regular basis but the thing with FDR's picture at the point of his death was a bit tasteless, IMO. No whining, no hand wringing on my end to be sure but a little bit too much to make light of the fact that he died of a cerebral hemorrhage while having his portrait done.
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anonimosu7425
1: 48
China and Japan weren’t quite enemies.
China was still ordering warships and the Japanese government and navy was happily building it for them. The biggest enemy to China was the IJA that was now setting up Manchuria as the home base away from the civilian government’s influence.
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1: 48
China and Japan weren’t quite enemies.
China was still ordering warships and the Japanese government and navy was happily building it for them. The biggest enemy to China was the IJA that was now setting up Manchuria as the home base away from the civilian government’s influence.
reply
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