The mainfocus of this editedvolume is an examination of dynamic relationships among Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and the northeastern region of China, and the economic development of each area in East Asia from the 1910s to the end of WorldWar II. The development of foreign trade in East Asia, therelations between industrialization and consumption in Korea, the transactions infertilizers and the development of small-scale industries in Taiwan are preciselyexamined. Atpresent, East Asia is a major economic center of the world. It is necessary to lookclosely not only at both sides of the “exploitation or development undercolonization” paradigm but also at the prewar factors that spurred East Asian economicgrowth in the postwar decades. A noteworthy characteristic of the Japanese colonial empirewas the close economic and geographic relations among Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and the northeastern region of China. Economic integration within the empire strengthenedconsiderably in the interwar years and remained high even during the war ascompared to that in European countries and their colonies. What was theirreversible change in each colonial economy by means of forced incorporationinto the Japanese empire? What was the impact on economic subjects such asmerchants, manufacturers, managers, and workers through the colonial regime? Thisbook provides readers with broad perspectives that are indispensable given thatthe factors discussed herein are the historical origins of current issues.
