During the Japanese colonial period, the "Taiwan Shinbun" (臺灣新聞) dominated the newspaper industry in central Taiwan, serving as a crucial media outlet for news coverage and social commentary representing the central region. Alongside the "Taiwan Nichi Nichi Shinpo" (臺灣日日新報) in Taipei and the "Tainan Shinpo" (臺南新報) in Tainan, it was known as one of the three major newspapers in Taiwan during that era. The origins of this newspaper can be traced back to the founding of the "Taichu Mainichi Shinbun" (臺中每日新聞) in Taichung in May 1901. It was renamed "Chubu Taiwan Nippou" (中部臺灣日報) in 1903 and officially adopted the name "Taiwan Shinbun" in 1907.

The "Taiwan Shinbun" was primarily published in Japanese but also had a Chinese page. In 1910, it established a branch office in Taipei, expanding its operations to northern Taiwan and deploying reporters stationed there. Branch offices were subsequently set up in central Taiwan, including in Changhua, Beidou, and Jiali. In May 1925, it began publishing an evening edition and later issued supplements such as the Hsinchu page, Kaohsiung page, and an additional supplement for Changhua City.

As Japan's militarism expanded and international tensions heightened, official orders in 1937 mandated the cessation of the Chinese page. In 1944, due to the Governor-General's policy of speech control, the "Taiwan Shinbun" merged with five other major newspapers, including the "Taiwan Nichi Nichi Shinpo" and the "Kounan Shinbun" (興南新聞, formerly known as the Taiwanese-owned "Taiwan Shinminpo" (臺灣新民報)), to form the "Taiwan Shinpo" (臺灣新報).

Over its more than 40-year history of publication, the "Taiwan Shinbun" consistently circulated approximately 8,000 to 9,000 copies daily, making significant contributions to in-depth news coverage in central Taiwan. It focused on major events and their local implications, as well as reports on industry and technology. The newspaper also distinguished itself with literary and artistic content, setting it apart from other publications of its time.

The "Taiwan Shinbun" serves as a vital historical resource for studying political, social, industrial, and cultural developments in central Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period. It provides valuable insights into the region's dynamics and the intersection of local issues with broader historical contexts.

The preservation of "Taiwan Shinbun" has been a challenge in Taiwan, with major domestic archival institutions typically storing only sporadic monthly newspapers or making them available in microfilm format. Recognizing the significance of these publications, in recent years our institution has collected and unearthed a relatively complete collection from 1938 to 1944, compiled into the "Records of the Taiwan Shinbun" We are initially opening access to newspapers from 1938 to 1939, a unique collection both domestically and internationally, providing crucial historical materials for studying local studies and the period of Japan's assimilation policies during World War II in Taiwan. Comprehensive catalogs and digital images are now fully accessible online, welcoming users to explore them.

Figure 1: Commemorative Issue of the "Taiwan Shinbun" on July 14, 1938, featuring the "Taipei-Chungli Line Restoration"
As the largest local newspaper in central Taiwan, the "Taiwan Shinbun" provided in-depth coverage of the central and southern regions, making it a significant historical source for studying regional development. This issue focuses on local transportation projects such as the restoration of the Taipei-Chungli Line and the construction of the Wuchi Port. 
Source: "Taiwan Shinbun No. 12716 (1938-07-14)," "Records of the Taiwan Shinbun " (T1139)

Figure 2: "Taiwan Shinbun" on July 16, 1938, featuring "Review of Taichu Prefecture Art Exhibition — Viewing Section Four Sculptures"
Although the "Taiwan Shinbun" discontinued its Chinese page in 1937, its arts and culture section continued to feature columns such as "Chinese Poetry" and "Poetic Circle," occasionally publishing articles and critiques contributed by Taiwanese writers. For instance, in 1938, Lin Kunming's critique of the Taichu Prefecture Art Exhibition was published, along with a photograph of his exhibited sculpture titled "Superior Private Yura." Lin Kunming (1913-1939), a native of Taichung, studied Western sculpture in Japan starting in 1935. His works were frequently selected for exhibitions by the Japan Fine Arts Institute and independent photography exhibitions. This talented sculptor passed away at a young age, and due to limited historical records, little is known about his life. However, insights can be gleaned through this newspaper article. 
Source: "Taiwan Shinbun No. 12718 (1938-07-16)," "Records of the Taiwan Shinbun" (T1139)

Figure 3: "Taiwan Shinbun" on April 29, 1939, featuring "Taichu Prefecture's Pig Farming Incentives Aiming for 500,000 Heads"
The "Taiwan Shinbun" features a unique column, the Industry Section, which unlike other major newspapers, covers topics including agriculture, fisheries, and animal husbandry. In addition to policy reports, it provides in-depth technical knowledge and is authored by professionals from agricultural improvement stations and fisheries research institutes across Taiwan. Against the backdrop of Taiwan's pigs being mobilized as leather resources after the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, this issue on April 29, 1939, reports on Taichu Prefecture's pig farming incentives and a pig skinning competition, providing detailed data and insights. 
Source: "Taiwan Shinbun No. 13003 (1939-04-29)," "Records of the Taiwan Shinbun" (T1139)