Abstract: Anthropology emerged from the rise of capitalism and the consequent colonial expansion in the modern time. Anthropologist studies were often taken by the colonists as the foundation for policy making in colonial regions. The establishment of Japan's colonial ruling over Taiwan is closely related to the development of anthropology. After the Sino-Japanese war 1894-1895,Japan forced the Qing government to reduce Taiwan to Japan as its colony,which turned out to be a perfect subject for Japan's anthropologist studies. Japanese anthropologists conducted a large-scale anthropological investigation of Taiwan in the name of academic research,which provided an important reference for the establishment of Japan's colonial ruling system. Some anthropologists even joined the colonial ruling institutions. In the process of reigning Taiwan's aborigines, Japanese anthropologists played an important role by taking an active role in the formulation of colonial discourse and participating in the policy making of colonial ruling.

Key words: Japan, anthropology, colonialism, Taiwan aborigines, power effect