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According to the naming system established by
the Japanese, a “station” is a venue in which an
administration unit is based, for instance, a
Railway Station, a Police Station, whereas a
“center” is simply a building or an open space.
Hence we can see the difference between a
broadcast station and a broadcast center.
Generally, a broadcast station manages and
controls the content of the programs, while a
broadcast center merely sends signals out. |
|
Year |
Event |
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Before 1920 |
The
Japanese set up approximately 60 broadcast
stations in China(including North-East China ),
Korea, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. Those
stations located in Korea and Taiwan, which
already fell into the clutch of Japan before
1920, were mostly built by the Japanese, while a
part of those in the coastal cities of China
were improvements of the established ones. In
general, the stations featuring
telecommunication in military use, highlight how
psychological operations in occupied zones is
closely connected to wartime broadcasting
service and the transmission of military
message. |
|
1924 |
The Central Broadcasting System (CBS) of the
Republic of China was founded in Nanjing China,
by the name of “KMT Central Standing Committee
Broadcast System” then. It is the first radio
ever in China. |
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1925 |
Taiwan
Radio Network in Japanese Occupation Period: In
the early days of the period, “Tokyo Broadcast
Station” was already set up and started in March
22nd 1925, known as the inception of
radio industry in Japan and a power showcase by
the colonial government. In regard to the
overwhelming impact that broadcast system might
contribute to the society, Japanese government
decided to put it under the control of a
national organization, and then set up another
radio station in north Taiwan. (Taipei Broadcast
System). |
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1928 |
With an aim to broadcasting live the coronation
of Emperor Shōwa, the Communication Department
set up a lab and carried out an experiment for
broadcasting on November 10th, which
marked the onset of radio industry in Taiwan. On
December 22nd, Taipei Broadcast
Station officially came into operation and
transmitted at 1 kW of power. |
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1930 |
Banqiao broadcast center established. |
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1931 |
Taipei Broadcast Station started transmitting at
power of 10kw. |
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1932 |
The Central
Broadcasting System (CBS) of the Republic of
China built a mighty radio, which was able to
transmit at power of 75kw and provided quality
signals not only throughout China but even to
places in South-East Asia. Tainan Broadcast
Station established by Japanese government. |
|
1935 |
Taichung Broadcast Station established by
Japanese government. |
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1937 |
|
Construction of Minsyong Broadcast
Center got underway: |
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Site: |
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After
the Department of Distribution under the
Japanese Colonial Government carefully
assessed how radio wave should be
transmitted in each part of Taiwan, how
tall should one tower be, how difficult
would it be to erect one and other
relevant factors, Minsyong at Chianan
Plain, which had been a vast tract of
paddy rice field, was designated as the
site for the building. |
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Duration: |
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From
1937, a total amount of three years was
taken to complete the whole building,
which started operation officially on
Sep 28th, 1940. |
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Purpose: |
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1.
A part of strategy since Japan
invaded China: To stop people in
Taiwan listening to the radio
from The Central Broadcasting
System (CBS) of China, and to
achieve its expansion to
South-East Asia as well as
successes in psychological
operations. |
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2.Broadcast
to South China and South-East
Asia.
Delivered confidential messages
to help carry out military acts. |
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Programs: |
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Creating
propagandas for the Japanese Government
and realizing its blueprint of “the
Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere”
via modern information methods. |
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Supervisor: |
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The
architect, Ryoichi Suzuoki(鈴置良一),
was commissioned by the Japanese
Colonial Government to be in charge of
the construction of Minsyong Broadcast
Center. He was awarded a medal of honor
by the Emperor in the November of the
year in which his mission completed.
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Process: |
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All
materials required were shipped from
Japan to Keelung, and then to Minsyong
by rail. The construction site was
approximately two km off the station, to
which a stretch of interim rail was
paved to connect. As to the cables of
massive weight, they were transported by
heads of cattle. |
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In
addition to the building, the project
included transformer station,
dormitories for staff, and two T-shaped
towers with 206m in height(70 stories
high or so), which became a distinctive
landmark of Minsyong for their
breathtaking appearances. |
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1940 |
Minsyong
Broadcast Center coming into operation on Sep
28th.
Minsyong Broadcast Center is of tremendous
power, with a mighty medium wave transmitter
type MB-15-A, built by NEC electric company of
Japan. The transmitter is a great tool for
military purposes as the signal transmitted was
able to stretch as far as Jiangsu Province of
China and places in South-East Asia. |
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1941 |
As
the Japanese raided Pearl Harbor and speeded its
invasion to Asian-Pacific countries, Minsyong
Broadcast Center played a critical role in these
events. |
|
1942 |
With the outbreak of the Pacific War, Radio
Stations in Taiwan concentrated broadcasting to
areas such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia,
etc. This is the first time ever that Taiwan
performs international broadcasting. |
|
1945 |
After
the triumph over Japan in the Sino-Japanese War,
the government of Republic of China (ROC) sent
delegates to take over all property under
Minsyong Broadcast Center and renamed it as
“Radio Taiwan, Minsyong Radio”. On November 1st,
the broadcasting service once ran by Japan was
completely turned over to “Radio Taiwan”. |
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